Police warn public as WhatsApp scams surge
Some cases involve fake banking issues, with scammers sending QR codes to defraud victims.
KATHMANDU: Nepal Police’s Cyber Bureau has issued a fresh warning as incidents of WhatsApp account hacking and financial scams rise across the country.
Hackers are reportedly taking control of users’ WhatsApp accounts to send messages to friends and family, often claiming to be in urgent trouble and requesting money.
Some cases involve fake banking issues, with scammers sending QR codes to defraud victims.
In an official statement signed by Cyber Bureau spokesperson Deepak Raj Awasthi, the public is urged to exercise caution.
Key safety measures include verifying any financial requests via direct phone calls, enabling two-step verification on WhatsApp, never sharing OTPs with anyone, avoiding suspicious links, and refraining from opening or downloading files from unknown contacts.
Authorities stress vigilance as digital fraud continues to evolve, warning that even messages from known contacts may be compromised if their accounts are hacked.
