The WhatsApp Scam That Turns a Video Call into a Nightmare
Imagine this: you receive a video call from a friend, but when you answer, you only see a black screen. They ask for help with their phone and for you to share your screen... Boom! Now they have access to your WhatsApp 📱. This is the new tactic used by scammers to steal accounts and extort your contacts. And the worst part: it seems so real that many fall for it.
"I thought it was my cousin, but it was actually a scammer seeing my verification code in real time" — Fraud victim.
How the Scam Works Step by Step
- Fake video call: From a known contact, but with a dark screen
- Technical excuse: They ask for help to "fix their phone"
- Screen sharing: They see the SMS with your verification code
- Account theft: They access your WhatsApp and start the fraud
The Domino Effect of Chaos
Once inside, the scammers:
- Request urgent Bizum payments from all your contacts
- Call your friends via video call to replicate the fraud
- Create a chain reaction of hacked accounts
Basic Protection: Be Suspicious and Verify
To avoid falling for it:
- Never share your screen in suspicious video calls
- Ask personal questions to confirm identities
- Verification codes are SECRET (never show them)
If It's Already Too Late...
Act quickly:
- Recover your number via verification SMS
- Notify all your contacts via another method
- Report the fraud to your bank and authorities
Remember: WhatsApp will never ask for codes via call. If in doubt, hang up and call the person directly. Better to seem paranoid than to become the link in this chain of scams 🔗.