Online Scam Alert: A new type of WhatsApp scam is making the rounds.
You may get a message from a friend’s number saying they mistakenly received an OTP (One-Time Password) meant for them and are asking you to send it back.
Be very careful—this is a new scam through which people are getting their WhatsApp accounts hacked.
How Does the Scam Work?
Many users have reported on social media that they received a simple message from their WhatsApp contacts—friends, relatives, or people they know—asking them to forward an OTP sent by mistake.
Since it comes from someone they trust, they forward it without thinking. But the truth is, the friend’s WhatsApp has already been hacked, and the scammer is using it to trap others.
Once you share the OTP, your own WhatsApp account gets logged out, and you lose access.
The hacker then uses your number to message your contacts and repeat the scam. This cycle continues, and more people become victims.
What’s Actually Happening?
This is a phishing scam. The scammer first hacks someone’s WhatsApp and then uses that account to message their contacts.
They ask for an OTP, pretending it was sent by mistake. As soon as you share the OTP, your WhatsApp gets hijacked.
You won’t be able to read messages, see your media, or access the app on your phone. By the time you report it to Meta or the police, the hacker may have already tricked several more people.
How to Stay Safe?
Never share an OTP, not even with friends or family. It’s meant only for you.
If someone says an OTP was sent to your number by mistake, ignore the message.
Only enter an OTP when you are 100% sure what it is for.
If you get a strange message, report it to Meta and call your contact directly to confirm.
Enable two-step verification on WhatsApp to add an extra layer of security.
These types of scams are increasing every day. Just a little carelessness can lead to losing all your data and privacy.
