The Cyber Crime Wing of the Greater Chennai Police has issued a strong advisory to the public after witnessing a sharp rise in WhatsApp-related scams, particularly those involving account hijacking through deceptive OTP tricks.
According to officials, multiple cases have come to light where unsuspecting users lost significant amounts of money after their WhatsApp accounts were compromised and misused to dupe friends and family.
In one such case, a city resident received a six-digit One-Time Password (OTP) via SMS from an unfamiliar number. The sender claimed it was mistakenly sent and politely requested the OTP to be shared back. Trusting the seemingly innocent message, the victim complied—only to lose control of their WhatsApp account minutes later.
The fraudster quickly began messaging the victim’s contacts, pretending to be in urgent need of money due to a medical emergency.
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The scam was only uncovered when some friends of the victim called to verify the request, realizing the account had been hijacked.
In another incident, no technical breach occurred—but the emotional manipulation was just as damaging. A Chennai resident received a message on WhatsApp from what appeared to be a friend, claiming their GPay was not working and requesting Rs 15,000. Believing it to be a genuine emergency, the victim transferred the amount—and even sent an additional Rs 15,000 after further pleading. It was only later, during a call with the actual friend, that the victim discovered their contact’s WhatsApp account had been hacked.
A senior officer from the Cyber Crime Wing explained the modus operandi: “It often starts with an OTP sent via SMS. The fraudster, using WhatsApp, then claims it was accidentally sent to the victim. The moment the OTP is shared, they gain full access to the WhatsApp account.”
Once inside, the scammer impersonates the victim, sending urgent messages to friends and relatives, usually invoking accidents, hospital emergencies, or similar crises. They often include bank account numbers or digital wallet links such as GPay, PhonePe, or Paytm—making the request appear even more genuine.
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How to Protect Yourself from WhatsApp Scams:
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Re-register immediately if your WhatsApp is compromised. Use your phone number to log in again and enter the 6-digit code received via SMS. This will log out the intruder.
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Enable two-step verification through WhatsApp settings (Settings → Account → Two-step verification) and set up a strong PIN for added security.
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Never share OTPs or verification codes, even if the request comes from someone you know. Always verify directly through a phone call.
Authorities urge all users to remain alert and skeptical of any unexpected OTP requests or emergency money pleas on WhatsApp. If you suspect any fraudulent activity, report it immediately to the nearest cyber crime cell or via the national cyber crime portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in.