{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "New Cyber Scam Targets WhatsApp Users, Accounts Hacked to Extort Money From Friends",
  "summary": "Rajasthan Police has issued a new advisory regarding cyber fraudsters hacking WhatsApp accounts using fake QR codes and OTPs to extract money.",
  "content": "A fresh and alarming wave of online fraud has emerged for WhatsApp users, as cyber criminals are successfully taking over personal accounts using deceptive QR codes, malicious links, and one-time passwords. Once control of the account is secured, these fraudsters message contacts within the victim's network, fabricating emergencies, medical crises, or other urgent problems to demand money. In response to this rising threat, the R-4-C cyber crime branch of the Rajasthan Police has officially issued a comprehensive advisory to protect citizens from falling victim to this sophisticated scam.\n\nHow Fraudsters Trap Unsuspecting Users\nActing under the directions of Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar Sharma, Additional Director General of Police for Cyber Crime V.K. Singh explained that scammers deploy multiple tactics to manipulate individuals. These bad actors often impersonate close friends, government officials, or customer support personnel, demanding sensitive information such as OTPs, verification codes, and two-step verification pins. In many reported instances, targets are also tricked into scanning unfamiliar QR codes or downloading suspicious mobile applications onto their devices.\n\nThe Mechanism Behind Account Takeovers\nCyber fraudsters utilize fake QR codes or unauthorized links to quietly link a victim's WhatsApp account to a secondary device under their control. Once the linkage is established, they gain the ability to dispatch messages directly from the compromised account. In certain cases, scammers coerce individuals into installing remote access or screen-sharing applications, effectively granting them total visibility and control over the mobile device. Law enforcement authorities strongly advise against downloading any application requested by unknown callers or sharing screen views under any circumstance.\n\nKey Warning Signs That Your Account Is Compromised\nUsers must remain extremely vigilant if messages are sent from their WhatsApp account without their knowledge or consent. Additional warning indicators include unfamiliar devices appearing in the linked devices menu, unrequested verification codes arriving via SMS, sudden unexpected logouts from the application, or acquaintances reporting that they received urgent requests for financial assistance originating from your account profile.\n\nEssential Steps to Keep Your WhatsApp Account Secure\n• Never scan QR codes received from unknown individuals or unverified digital messages.\n\n• Keep the two-step verification feature enabled inside WhatsApp and create a robust, private PIN.\n\n• Never share your confidential OTP, registration code, or verification PIN with anyone under any circumstances.\n\n• Regularly inspect your active linked devices list and immediately log out of any unfamiliar sessions.\n\n• Keep both your mobile operating system and WhatsApp application updated, and avoid downloading unverified apps.\n\n• If an acquaintance suddenly contacts you asking for money, independently verify their identity via a direct phone call first.\n\nImmediate Action to Take If Your Account Is Hacked\nIf you suspect that your WhatsApp account has been breached, immediately navigate to the application settings, review your linked devices, and log out of all unknown sessions. Following this, re-register your WhatsApp account using your primary mobile number. Verify the security settings of your two-step verification and associated email recovery options. Inform your contacts through alternative communication channels that unauthorized messages might be distributed from your compromised profile.\n\nHow and Where to Report Cyber Fraud Incidents\nThe Rajasthan Police has strongly urged the public to report any instances of cyber fraud or attempted scams without delay. Information can be submitted directly at the nearest local police station or specialized cyber police station. For digital complaints, citizens can access the official portal at cybercrime.gov.in or dial the dedicated national cyber helpline at 1930. Additionally, Rajasthan Police has activated dedicated cyber helpdesk contact numbers at 9256001930 and 9257510100 for immediate public assistance.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis emerging cyber threat poses significant financial risks and privacy concerns for WhatsApp users across the country.\n\n• Across India: General smartphone users nationwide are vulnerable to these sophisticated QR code and OTP scams. Failing to secure messaging applications can result in unauthorized data exposure and financial extortion among contacts.\n• In Rajasthan: Local residents must exercise heightened vigilance as cyber criminals have actively targeted users within the state. Anyone encountering suspicious account behavior should immediately utilize the 1930 helpline or report online.\n\nWhy this happened\nThe sudden surge in WhatsApp account takeovers is driven by the exploitation of user trust, lack of robust security configurations, and advanced social engineering tactics employed by cyber criminals.\n\n• Technical Exploitation: Fraudsters leverage fake QR codes and unauthorized links to bypass standard security barriers and establish remote device connectivity.\n• Social Engineering: Scammers manipulate human psychology by impersonating trusted acquaintances or support personnel to quickly extract confidential verification codes.\n• Neglected Security Features: Many everyday users fail to activate fundamental security layers such as two-step verification, making unauthorized breaches considerably easier for hackers.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. What methods are cyber fraudsters using to hack WhatsApp accounts?\nCyber scammers are taking over WhatsApp accounts using fake QR codes, malicious links, and stolen OTPs.\n\n2. What do fraudsters do after gaining access to a hacked WhatsApp account?\nThey message contacts within the victim's network, fabricating emergencies or medical crises to demand money.\n\n3. Who issued the advisory regarding this cyber threat in Rajasthan?\nThe R-4-C cyber crime branch of the Rajasthan Police issued the advisory under instructions from the Director General of Police.\n\n4. What core security setting should be enabled to protect the account?\nUsers should keep the two-step verification feature enabled inside WhatsApp and create a secure PIN.\n\n5. Which helpline number has been provided to report cyber fraud incidents?\nCitizens can call the national cyber helpline number 1930 to report fraudulent activities.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/naya-cyber-scam-targets-whatsapp-users-accounts-hacked-to-extort-money-from-friends-50305",
  "category": "Rajasthan",
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-22",
  "tags": [
    "Cyber Fraud",
    "WhatsApp Hack",
    "Rajasthan Police",
    "Cyber Crime",
    "Online Scam",
    "WhatsApp Security"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}