WhatsApp is the world’s most widely used messaging app — which also makes it a hotbed for scams. From fake job offers to impersonated business accounts, fraudsters have found a way to creep into everyone’s chat list.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll walk you through the most common WhatsApp scams (each explained with real-life news references), new and evolving threats, and finally, what to do if you or someone you know has been scammed.
Let’s begin.
Why WhatsApp Is a Hotbed for Scams?
This needs to be realized that of all the apps, Whatsapp, a personal interaction app, is used by people whom we don’t really know personally to scam us.
Its strange but still a fact for that is happening right now to a lot of people in India. But why whatsapp has become such an easy way for scammers, lets ponder:
- Low barrier to entry: Anyone can send you a message just by knowing your number.
- Lack of moderation: WhatsApp doesn’t actively scan messages for fraud due to end-to-end encryption.
- Widespread usage: With over 500M+ users in India alone, scammers know their targets are here.
- Trust bias: People tend to trust WhatsApp messages more than random emails.
Scams will continue to evolve — from impersonation to malware delivery — and this guide is your shield.
Most Common WhatsApp Scams
Okay, lets read through some of the scams that are happening RIGHT NOW by usage of whatsapp. Read these real stories so as to save yourself and your known ones from becoming one such victim.
WhatsApp Business Account Scam
Case: In June 2024, a Delhi-based man received a message from a verified-looking WhatsApp business account claiming to be from SBI. The message had an offer to upgrade his debit card. Upon clicking the link, his phone got locked, and ₹45,000 was withdrawn via UPI.
Modus Operandi: These scams mimic genuine business accounts by copying brand logos, auto-replies, and formal-sounding names. Victims trust them because of the “verified business” badge. They’re asked to verify personal info, install malware-laden apps, or share OTPs.
Tip: WhatsApp doesn’t vet business accounts deeply. Always verify via official websites or customer care numbers.
Whatsapp Interview Scams
Case: A woman in Bengaluru applied for a freelance gig on Indeed. Soon after, she received a message on WhatsApp from someone claiming to be an HR from Flipkart. She was added to a task group and asked to perform “e-commerce rating jobs.” By Day 4, she had invested ₹1.2 lakh — all gone.
Modus: Victims are lured by remote job promises, usually linked to known portals like Upwork, Fiverr, or Indeed. They’re made to complete small tasks, gain “trust,” then asked to pay for bigger missions.
Tip: Never pay to get paid. Verify all jobs independently on the original job platform.
WhatsApp Scams on Tinder
Case: In Mumbai, a software engineer matched with a woman on Tinder. She quickly moved the chat to WhatsApp, citing privacy concerns. Within a week, she pitched a “crypto opportunity” using Binance. Poor guy believed thinking he was talking to his “true love”. He lost ₹8.5 lakh.
She never showed up.
Modus: The emotional trust built on dating platforms transitions to WhatsApp. Once rapport is built, investment pitches or emotional blackmail start.
Tip: Always be wary of relationships that escalate quickly and talk about money.
WhatsApp Video Call Scam
Case: A 22-year-old student in Punjab answered a random WhatsApp video call late at night. The call showed a woman in a compromising position. Seconds later, he received threats and edited videos demanding ₹50,000 or else they’d be sent to family.
The young fellow got scared. Started thinking how his family and friends at school will react to this. In his adolescent thoughts, he had no alternative but to agree to what the scammer was trying to extort him for.
How It Works: These are staged calls. Screens are recorded, and faces are deepfaked into adult content. Victims are then blackmailed.
Tip: Disable unknown video calls. Do not answer any unexpected video requests.
WhatsApp OTP Scam
Case: A Pune resident received a WhatsApp code and moments later, a message: “Hey, I sent you a code by mistake. Please share it back.” He did — and was logged out. His account was used to spam all contacts asking for money.
He just trusted a random message online and did what the scammer asked him to. There are other ways as well employed by such scammers to get the code from you and then ask for money to give back the access. If you don’t agree, they threaten to send messages to your knowns which will not be civil.
How It Works: This is a takeover scam. Once scammers get your code, they log in and lock you out. You lose access to contacts, media, and your identity.
Tip: Never share any code received via SMS. Enable two-step verification immediately.
Airbnb Whatsapp Scams
Case: A woman listed her property on Airbnb. A supposed tourist from Dubai asked to continue on WhatsApp for faster communication. He sent her a fake payment confirmation and requested her OTP for verification. ₹75,000 vanished within minutes.
Although, it was a cliche way of scamming but the app used was the one people generally trust on. The apps can change based on the geography and the demography of the user.
OLX Story: A man listed his bike on OLX. A buyer sent a QR code saying it would confirm payment. Scanning it deducted ₹15,000 instead.
How It Works: These scams usually shift the conversation off-platform. Fake IDs, links, QR codes are used to extract payments.
Tip: Never complete deals outside official platforms.
7. Instagram & YouTube Influencer Scam
Example: Scammers copied profiles of several Indian finance YouTubers and messaged users on WhatsApp offering free mentorship. One user transferred ₹25,000 expecting one-on-one crypto training. He was blocked within minutes of sending the payment.
Although, there must be no surprises to what really happened but the victim could not believe that just happened in this case and ended up blaming the finfluencer for the next few days. He, of course, had no role to play in this.
Tip: Influencers will never directly reach out asking for money on WhatsApp.
9. Cadbury / Wedding Card / Tour Guide Scams
Wedding Card Scam: You get a message from an unknown number with a link titled “Rahul & Priya’s Wedding Card.” Clicking installs malware. Something like happened with a person from Himachal Pradesh.
He actually thought that he had received a wedding invitation. While, in reality, it was an apk file that installed on his phone as soon as he clicked the file. His phone was later cloned by the scammer and all the money was moved from his account to someone else in the next few days.
Cadbury Scam: You’re told you’ve won a Cadbury hamper — only to be redirected to a phishing form.
Tip: Avoid any unknown forwarded messages or celebration-related links.
Why People Lose More in WhatsApp Scams?
Unlike email phishing or suspicious websites, WhatsApp scams are personal. Messages come in directly to your mobile with real names, profile photos, and a tone that builds trust. This emotional manipulation, combined with the immediacy of mobile alerts, causes people to act quickly — without verifying.
1. Psychological Trust
WhatsApp is used by family, friends, and colleagues. When a scammer mimics a known brand, a recruiter, or a close friend (sometimes even cloning their display picture and name), it short-circuits the usual caution. This false familiarity makes people let their guard down.
2. Speed of Communication
Scammers create urgency — “Limited time offer,” “Your account will be deactivated,” or “Need help urgently.” People act fast on WhatsApp because they’re conditioned to respond quickly. In many cases, scams are completed in under 10 minutes.
3. Lower Technical Literacy
Many people don’t know how to verify a business account, use two-step verification, or check a URL preview. This is especially true in tier-2 and tier-3 cities where digital adoption has outpaced digital literacy.
4. No Visible Platform Accountability
Unlike banking platforms that show disclaimers and warnings, WhatsApp provides no visible flags or warnings. Even if a number is reported by 500 users, it can still continue messaging others.
5. WhatsApp Is Not Just a Messaging App
It’s a platform for receiving resumes, job offers, deliveries, payments, photos, and more. This all-in-one communication tool makes it harder to distinguish genuine intent from malicious ones.
In short, people lose more on WhatsApp because they trust it more — and scammers know that.
Major WhatsApp Scam Recoveries by Us
Over the past year, our team at Fraud Free has helped victims recover money lost to various types of WhatsApp scams — from ₹50,000 to ₹6 lakh+ per case. Here’s a summary of some high-impact resolutions we’ve led:
1. ₹6.45 Lakh Recovered from a WhatsApp Job Scam (Upwork Fake Project)
A freelance video editor from Hyderabad was duped by a scammer impersonating a US-based Upwork client. He was added to a WhatsApp group and asked to perform paid “tasks” via Amazon-like platforms.
By the 4th day, he had paid ₹6.45 lakh in total. After contacting us, our team filed a structured complaint with SEBI, Cyber Crime, and escalated to RBI Banking Ombudsman. The fraud was linked to a mule account, and the user received a full refund in 21 working days.
Read more about this Upwork Whatsapp Scam.
2. ₹4.1 Lakh Recovered in a WhatsApp-Crypto Romance Scam
An MBA student in Pune fell victim to a WhatsApp friendship that turned into an investment pitch. She transferred small amounts into a Binance-linked UPI wallet, eventually totaling ₹4.1 lakh.
When she realized there was no withdrawal option, she approached us. Fraud Free traced the wallet owner, filed a complaint under SEBI’s Investor Grievance Redressal and helped freeze the wallet.
Learn more about this Whatsapp scam on Tinder.
3. ₹3.8 Lakh Recovered from WhatsApp-Based Tour Package Scam
An elderly couple from Indore were sold a fake holiday package via a WhatsApp contact pretending to be from MakeMyTrip. After transferring ₹3.8 lakh over 3 transactions, they received no tickets.
We helped file structured complaints with the cyber cell and escalated the case through PMO Grievance Portal. A full refund was processed by the payment gateway company.
You can learn more about this Tour guide whatsapp scam.
5. ₹2.3 Lakh Refund After OLX-WhatsApp Scam
A man in Jaipur listed his used car on OLX. A supposed Army officer shifted to WhatsApp, shared ID proof, and tricked him into scanning a QR code. ₹2.3 lakh vanished in seconds.
Our team quickly filed a complaint with the local police and got the wallet blacklisted using NPCI linkage. The bank initiated a refund within 15 days.
Such Olx whatsapp scams are very common out there.
Evolving Scams to Watch For!
Scammers constantly update their tools. New tactics include:
- AI Voice Cloning: A caller sounds like your friend or family asking for help
- Pig-Butchering: Long-term scams using love + crypto investments
- WhatsApp Gold Upgrade Scam: You’re told to download a premium version for added features
- Fake Tech Support: Posing as WhatsApp or JioFiber, scammers ask to “remote into your phone”
The underlying principle is always the same: urgency, fear, or greed.
How to Defend Yourself Against WhatsApp Scams
Practical Tips:
- Don’t trust unknown messages — verify via alternate channels
- Never share OTPs or WhatsApp verification codes
- Avoid clicking unsolicited links or downloading files
- Set privacy so only contacts can see profile photo, status
- Enable two-step verification from Settings > Account > Two-step Verification
- Avoid sharing personal details, especially bank info
Stay informed and teach your family to do the same.
What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Stop Transactions Immediately
- Call your bank, block cards or UPI IDs
- Disconnect any device remotely accessed
- Preserve Evidence
- Screenshots of chats, links, phone numbers, timestamps
- Export WhatsApp chat as PDF or .txt
- Report the Scam
- Use WhatsApp’s built-in report feature
- Lodge complaint at cybercrime.gov.in
- Raise a Case at aseemJuneja.in
- We’ll help file with SEBI, RBI, Cyber Cell, or Smart ODR
- Our team structures evidence into a format that regulators take seriously
- Spread Awareness
- Warn your friends and family
- Share your experience on public forums
Final Words: Stay One Step Ahead
WhatsApp scams are a reflection of how trust and technology can be misused together. Whether it’s your grandparents falling for fake tech support or a friend caught in an emotional manipulation game — prevention begins with awareness.
If you’ve ever doubted a message, link, or call — that doubt might save you. And if you’ve already been scammed, it’s never too late to act.
