Shillong, May 23: West Jaintia Hills District police on Friday issued an advisory urging people to remain vigilant and protect their personal information to avoid falling victim to scams. This was after complaints were received from residents of Jowai Town regarding a series of WhatsApp account hacks, which have caused significant distress among the local community.
Since May 18, multiple individuals have reported that their WhatsApp accounts were compromised by an unknown hacker. Following the hack, the perpetrators have been sending messages to the contacts of the affected users, demanding money, and creating panic and fear among those receiving the messages.
These fraudulent activities, which involve the use of hacked WhatsApp accounts to impersonate legitimate contacts, have led to widespread anxiety in the community. Victims of the scam have reported receiving urgent money requests from friends and family members, who, in reality, are not the ones initiating the communication.
“The Police Team is currently investigating these incidents,” district police chief C. Syrti said in a statement.
“In response to this alarming trend, it is to urge the general public to remain vigilant and follow certain security measures to protect their personal information and avoid falling victim to similar scams,” he added.
The SP said the public is advised to:
– Avoid Responding to Unknown Messages: Do not engage with unsolicited messages from unknown contacts. Always verify the sender’s identity through alternate means before responding.
– Do Not Click on Suspicious Links: Be cautious of any links or attachments received via WhatsApp, especially those from unfamiliar contacts. These may lead to phishing websites or malware.
– Never Share OTPs or Sensitive Information: Refrain from sharing One-Time Passwords (OTPs) or other sensitive information unless you are certain of the authenticity of the request. Always confirm the source before sharing such details.
– Enable Two-Step Verification: Activate WhatsApp’s two-step verification (2FA) feature to add an extra layer of protection to your account. This feature helps prevent unauthorized access, even if your login credentials are compromised.
– Report Suspicious Activity: If you believe your WhatsApp account has been hacked, immediately log out of all devices and contact WhatsApp support. Additionally, report the incident to local Police Station for further investigation.
For any cybercrimes, people can file an online complaint at www.cybercrime.gov.in. For Financial Fraud, people are requested to dial 1930 immediately for necessary assistance.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of the public and is actively working to investigate these incidents. We urge all WhatsApp users to exercise caution and take proactive measures to safeguard their personal data and privacy,” the SP further stated.
