A man reported a fraud case to the police that sheds new light on the methods of WhatsApp fraudsters. These perpetrators go beyond simply stealing cash and are now also targeting their victims' credit card details.

A particularly perfidious aspect of this scam is the way the fraudsters gain trust by pretending to be close family members.

Deception, demands for money and information about credit cards

In the case described, the fraudster first contacted his victim via SMS, pretended to be the victim's son and then cleverly redirected the communication to WhatsApp. There he asked for a money transfer, which the victim made in good faith. The transfer amounted to over 900 euros.

But that's not all: the fraudster then requested a photo of the victim's credit card, which he also received. It was only when the fake son requested clearance for international transactions that the victim noticed the fraud.

How the fraudsters operate

The fraudsters' approach is perfidious and aims to gain the trust of the victims. By assuming a known identity and feigning distress, victims are manipulated into transferring money and disclosing sensitive information.

This scam is not new, but the request for credit card details represents a worrying escalation.

Preventive measures against fraud

The police point out that it is important to assume that unknown phone numbers are from unknown people.

  • Cash should never be transferred without checking, especially if the request comes via unusual channels such as WhatsApp.
  • If you are demanding money from alleged family members who are communicating via unknown phone numbers, it is advisable to verify your identity by other means.
  • Sensitive data, especially bank and credit card information, should never be passed on to strangers.

questions and answers

Question 1: How can I protect myself from WhatsApp scams?
Answer 1: Be skeptical if you receive requests for money via WhatsApp, especially from unknown numbers. Verify the sender's identity through direct contact.

Question 2: What should I do if I have shared sensitive information?
Answer 2: Inform your bank immediately and have your credit card blocked. Also file a police report.

Question 3: How do I recognize an attempted fraud?
Answer 3: Watch out for unusual requests for money, the use of unknown phone numbers, and requests for sensitive information.

Question 4: Are older people more likely to become victims of such scams?
Answer 4: Yes, older people are often targeted by scammers because they are considered less tech-savvy.

Question 5: How do fraudsters react if their plan is at risk of being exposed?
Answer 5: They break off contact and look for new victims to conceal their identity.

Conclusion

WhatsApp fraudsters who are now also requesting credit card details are showing a worrying development.
The police warn urgently about this scam and advise caution. The man's case shows how important it is to be vigilant and not to reveal sensitive data. If you receive suspicious requests, you should be skeptical and check the identity of the sender.

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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )