New Delhi: There is a viral New Year scam on WhatsApp that is rapidly spreading that cybercriminals are using to scam unsuspecting WhatsApp users with
greetings of the season. Even a seemingly innocent greeting on Happy New Year can cause malware downloading and loss of money in a few hours. According to cyber experts, a single click is sufficient to grant access to scammers of your phone and banking applications.
The fake is often initiated by a message requesting users to download a file attached to the message in order to see a greetings card, picture or video. The attachment usually is an APK file in the form of a holiday wish. After installation the file silently takes control of the gadget, putting personal data and money at risk.
How the New Year WhatsApp scam works
The message seems to be harmless and amiable. It can be of an unidentified number or even a hacked contact. A user is requested to download a file and install it in order to see a special greeting related to New Year. As soon as the APK is installed, trojan software is set to run in the background without the user being aware of it.
What happens after you install the APK file?
Shortly after installation, victims have complained of abnormal phone activity. Apps may open automatically. Messages and contacts are available. In severe situations, scammers use UPI apps or bank accounts to commit unauthorised transactions. According to cyber experts, such files can provide remote access to the phone by the fraudsters.
The cybercrime police at Hyderabad have provided an alert, warning people against the use of fake APKs on WhatsApp, SMS, and email. According to officials, fraudsters use the time of festivals due to the fact that individuals are less vigilant and cautious when clicking on links or files.
What exactly is an APK file?
An Android Package Kit, or APK, is a file that is applied to install applications on Android devices. The apps that are legitimately downloaded are typically downloaded through the Google Play Store. The files that are distributed via messages or links are APK files, and sideloading this can be dangerous. Unknown files have the possibility of being malware files that steal information or finances.
How to spot a WhatsApp scam message
Scam letters used usually generate a sense of urgency or excitement. They can offer rewards, gifts, and special greetings. Bad spelling, unsafe links, unfamiliar senders and messages to provide OTPs, PINs or bank accounts are obvious warning signs. True organisations do not seek sensitive information via messages.
Digital fraud has been on the go, and the best defence is always awareness. Do not download the files of unknown origin. Do not install APK files that come as messages. By keeping your phone locked up and being careful on the internet, you will avoid losing a good holiday to becoming a victim of hate crimes.
