Kolkata: Crooks hack woman's WhatsApp, ask for money from phone contacts

KOLKATA: A 45-year-old Tollygunge homemaker has approached the cyber cell claiming her WhatsApp has been compromised. Worse, all her contacts have been receiving multiple messages seeking monetary help.
"Each WhatsApp account is linked to one phone number on one device. When hackers try to link them on to their own, they try to get it done through a verification code. If you give this code out, a fraudster can access all your phone contacts," explained an investigator, adding that they have already written to WhatsApp to try and retrieve her account. The cops have launched a separate probe to nab the accused.
According to the complainant, the Wi-fi at her residence had malfunctioned last weekend. She lodged a complaint with the telecom service provider a couple of days later.
On June 5, a call came on her mobile phone where the person at the other end introduced himself as a telecom company executive. He asked the woman to dial a code starting with 401 - the same code used to forward messages and calls - along with another set beginning with 67. The complainant was assured that this would resolve her Wi-fi issues.
On Wednesday, the woman found out that her WhatsApp number had been compromised and several on her contact list received a request from her stating that she was in trouble and that she needed money to travel to Odisha.
Kolkata Police has begun receiving multiple complaints of WhatsApp hacks since the pandemic. There was a lull for a few months but this crime is now picking up again. Police have received at least two formal complaints and multiple online complaints.
The cops also shared the example of another woman victim, a resident of Alipore, who was even charged a fortune as ransom by the hackers to get her profile back. Most of the victims of this fraud are usually women.
A few days back, cops had taken to Facebook to warn netizens about the new danger. "WhatsApp Getting Hacked! If you receive this kind of message and if any person on your WhatsApp contacts list (even if known) asks you to forward the same, please don't do so. Fraudsters are using this to take control of your WhatsApp account. We have received a few such complaints and seek your cooperation," the warning message stated.