Statement by Judiciary Police
The Judiciary Police (PJ) have recently discovered that scammers are once again sending out phishing SMSs impersonating the messaging app WhatsApp.
The messages falsely claim that the recipient’s account has been reported and urge users to log in via a link included in the message before a certain deadline, or risk being blocked by the system. When users click the link, they are redirected to a counterfeit website that closely resembles the official WhatsApp site, where they are prompted to enter their mobile number. A code, consisting of an 8-digit string, will then be displayed, instructing users to enter it into their WhatsApp app; in reality, if users comply, their accounts will be logged into by the scammers elsewhere. Once the scammers successfully steal a citizen’s WhatsApp login credentials, they will use it to defraud the victim’s friends and family or for other illicit purposes.
The Judiciary Police Fraud Coordination Centre advises:
WhatsApp will never request users to click on “any link” regarding account suspension issues via SMS or app messages.
It is essential to verify the authentic WhatsApp official account, which displays the feature of a “blue tick” in the app.
If friends or family request money through any messaging app, immediately verify the request through another method.
If in doubt, use the PJ’s “Anti-Fraud Programme” to check risk levels or report information, or call the PJ anti-fraud hotline at 88007777 and the reporting hotline at 993 for assistance.
N.B. Statement by the Judiciary Police released through the Macau Government Information Bureau yesterday. Translation arranged by The Macau Post Daily.
