Social Media Impersonation / Whatsapp Takeover Scam
As of December 2021
1614
victims
Have fallen prey to scammers
S$5.5
million
Total amount lost to scammers
S$1.0
million
Largest amount lost by an individual
WHAT IS A SOCIAL MEDIA IMPERSONATION SCAM?
The scammer pretends to be you by hacking into your social media accounts or messaging apps such as Whatsapp, and asking your friends/contacts to buy iTunes or other gift cards for them. They may also ask for personal, bank details and One-Time Passwords for online accounts (such as Lazada, Shopee, Qoo10) on the pretext of helping them sign up and/or claim prizes for fake lucky draws. Once scammers get hold of this information, they make unauthorised transactions on those accounts.
Look out for these scam signs
You can't access your online accounts through your usual passwords and devices.
You notice unauthorised transactions on your online accounts or bank accounts.
Your phone data is the same, but your bill is larger than usual.
An online friend contacts you through social media and asks for personal and confidential information in order to claim lucky draw prizes, grants. Or they claim to be in financial duress and need money.
How to stay safe
If in doubt, speak to someone you trust to seek a second opinion.
Social Media Impersonation / Whatsapp Takeover Scam: Real Stories
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Protection
ScamShield blocks messages and calls from numbers known to be used in illegal activities.
Find out more at scamshield.org.sg.
