Authorities in Pakistan have warned citizens about an alarming increase in WhatsApp scams that trick users with fake job offers and deceptive courier messages. These scams are becoming more advanced, often involving the misuse of verification codes and threats of blackmail. Digital rights groups have urged the public to stay alert and avoid responding to suspicious messages.
Scammers are now posing as delivery riders or officials from trusted organizations and ask victims to share verification codes, pretending it’s for confirming deliveries. Once shared, these codes are used to take control of the victim’s WhatsApp account. Many people have lost access to their accounts and personal data through such tactics.
Experts are advising users to never share verification codes, especially on WhatsApp. Instead, people should confirm requests using official helpline numbers before responding. The public is also encouraged to report scam cases to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) at 0800-55055 to help stop this rising threat.
In another concerning trend, cyber experts have reported scams targeting freelancers and job seekers, particularly in Punjab. These scammers invite people to WhatsApp or Telegram groups disguised as training sessions. However, once inside, users are shown explicit content and later threatened with fake legal actions unless they pay huge amounts of money.
Authorities revealed that scammers often pretend to be law enforcement officers and demand payments ranging from Rs1 million to 1.5 million. These tactics mostly work by exploiting public social media profiles and weak privacy settings, making people vulnerable to blackmail. Officials recommend avoiding sharing personal details online and staying cautious in unfamiliar group chats.
To protect themselves, users should adjust their privacy settings, block suspicious contacts, and avoid responding to extortion messages. Additionally, any such incidents must be reported to official cybercrime portals like NCCIA, PKCERT, and PTA. People are urged to remain calm and not give in to threats or pay any money to these fraudsters.