Police Issue Warning Over New WhatsApp 'View Once' Extortion Scam

Cybercriminals are increasingly using messaging apps to trick users, and the National Police have issued a warning about a new WhatsApp scam. This fraud exploits the app's "view once" feature to extort money from unsuspecting victims.

The scam begins when a user receives an ephemeral image from an unknown number. The attackers rely on curiosity, hoping the victim will open the file. Once the app confirms the image has been viewed, the scammer changes tactics from seduction to intimidation. They contact the victim again, falsely claiming that viewing the image was illegal. To make their threats more convincing, they may even impersonate police officers, demanding payment to avoid fake legal consequences.

This scam highlights the need for better digital security. Experts say that prevention is the best defense. Users should tighten their privacy settings and enable two-step verification to make their accounts harder to hack.

Authorities also advise staying skeptical of any messages from strangers. Never share your six-digit verification code with anyone, and do not pay money in response to threats received online without first verifying the source. Ultimately, being cautious with unknown senders is your best protection against scammers who use fear and misinformation to steal from you.