WhatsApp is enhancing its security measures with new features aimed at eliminating dubious group invites, misleading messages, and fraudulent ‘get rich quick’ schemes.
What you need to be aware of
– Upcoming WhatsApp features will prevent dubious invites, misleading messages, and deceptive money-making tactics.
– When someone unknown adds you to a group, WhatsApp now offers a preview—information about the creator and the group size—so you can choose whether to remain.
– In one-on-one conversations, WhatsApp is implementing notifications to alert you when an outsider messages you, providing additional context prior to your reply.
WhatsApp is introducing new tools to outsmart scammers who are becoming increasingly devious. The platform is reinforcing its security against dubious group adds, misleading messages, and pyramid schemes masquerading as fast cash opportunities.
To address these risks, WhatsApp is trialing a feature that notifies you when an unknown person adds you to a group. You’ll receive essential information, such as group creator and member count, enabling you to decide whether to leave or stay. Notifications will remain silent until you confirm your intent to stay.
For private chats, WhatsApp is also testing warnings when messaging individuals not saved in your contacts, providing extra context to help you evaluate the legitimacy of the conversation.
Mass account removal
The Meta-owned platform reports that, during the first half of this year alone, WhatsApp removed over 6.8 million accounts associated with scam operations. Many of these are managed by organized criminals in Southeast Asia, often exploiting forced labor. Cybercriminals are said to employ a combination of crypto temptations, quick-money schemes, and phony investment opportunities, all designed to appear just credible enough to catch individuals off-guard.
Scam operations now span multiple platforms, occasionally all at once. A recent incident linked to a scam operation in Cambodia commenced with AI-generated messages from ChatGPT, which drew individuals to WhatsApp and then rapidly redirected them to Telegram and TikTok for fake “paid” tasks. Victims were eventually prompted to deposit funds into a crypto wallet.
This type of multi-platform maneuvering isn’t by chance. It’s a calculated tactic to evade detection by providing each platform only a brief insight into the operations. This is also a factor behind Meta, OpenAI, and other tech entities increasingly collaborating to share insights and disrupt these scams before they escalate.
WhatsApp highlights that scams often initiate with seemingly benign communication: a text, a job offer, or perhaps a DM regarding a lost package or an unpaid invoice.
The platform advises pausing before responding to unknown numbers, scrutinizing any urgent requests, and verifying the identity of the person on the other end. If someone claims to be a friend or relative, confirm their identity using a trusted contact method.
