Sat Feb 08 19:17:00 UTC 2025: ## WhatsApp Hack Scam Targets Chennai Residents
**Chennai, February 9, 2025** – Chennai police have issued a warning about a surge in WhatsApp hacking scams targeting residents, particularly government officials and VIPs. Fraudsters are using phishing techniques to obtain six-digit WhatsApp activation codes, allowing them to take over accounts and defraud contacts.
The scam begins with a victim receiving a six-digit code from a number similar to +91 5XXXXXX1. A subsequent message from an unknown number claims the code was sent in error and requests its forwarding. Upon receiving the code, the fraudsters disable the victim’s account and create a WhatsApp Business account.
They then impersonate the victim, contacting friends and family to solicit urgent financial assistance under false pretenses, such as a fabricated accident or medical emergency. Victims are urged to transfer funds via bank accounts or digital payment platforms like GPay, PhonePe, or Paytm. Furthermore, the fraudsters attempt to expand their reach by requesting WhatsApp activation codes from the victim’s contacts.
Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner A. Arun stressed that WhatsApp would never send an activation code to anyone other than the account owner. He advised citizens to never share these codes and to exercise caution when receiving calls from unknown numbers. He urged immediate reporting of any online financial losses to the Cybercrime helpline (1930) or the website https://cybercrime.gov.in.
First Piper 