One WhatsApp Message From 'Your Boss' Could Empty Your Bank Account, Here's How

WhatsApp scams are running wild, and the scams are getting more and more sophisticated with each passing day. Now, in a recent development, a new scam is on the rise where the scammers pretend to be your boss and send you a message to make an urgent payment. Now, the concerning part here is that the messages come from real accounts, sound true, and even carry the authority one would expect from senior management. According to a post by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, cyber criminals pretend to be the boss or a senior executive from the company and trick employees into sending money. The most dangerous part here is that these messages could actually arrive from the original account of your boss if it has been compromised. The attack

is triggered when scammers pretend to be RBI officials and contact CEOs via WhatsApp or email. The message generally says that it is an urgent issue with their finances and they have to review it as soon as possible. The message comes with an attached ZIP file and a dynamic link library file. If the executive opens the file by any chance, then they are trapped and can even lose control of their WhatsApp account.

What Can You Do To Stay Safe?

First things first, never make a payment to anyone based on a single WhatsApp message or email, even if it is from a trusted friend, boss, colleague or anyone. Make sure that you first confirm the requirement on a call and then go for the payment thing. Furthermore, keep people around you informed about not downloading any executable files received from unknown accounts on any social media platform. Following these things could save you from a lot of trouble coming your way in the guise of scams. And most of the scams just prey on the urgency and limited information around how these things work, so make sure you don't fall into the trap.