Scams are getting smarter. What used to be obvious fake messages — like a prince offering you millions — are now disguised as urgent, believable texts on platforms like WhatsApp.

Here’s the story of how my uncle nearly lost money to a WhatsApp scam, and the red flags you should look for to stay safe.

The Setup

One evening, my uncle received a WhatsApp message:

“Good evening, sir. This is MTN customer care. Your line will be blocked in 24 hours if you don’t re-verify. Please send the 6-digit code we just texted you.”

At the same time, a real SMS arrived from WhatsApp with a six-digit verification code.

Panicked, he almost sent it. Luckily, he called me first.

The Trick

Hackers weren’t MTN. They were trying to steal his WhatsApp verification code. With that code, they could:

• Take over his WhatsApp account.

• Message his contacts pretending to be him.

• Scam family and friends out of money.

This method is simple but devastating.

Other Common WhatsApp Scams

1. “Send me urgent airtime”
   A hacked account messages friends: “Please send ₦5,000 recharge, I’ll pay back tomorrow.”

2. Fake investment groups
   You’re added to a group where people (actually fake profiles) share “testimonies” about doubling their money.

3. Job offer scams
   You get a link: “Work from home, earn ₦30,000 daily.” It leads to phishing sites that steal data or bank details.

4. Romance scams
   A stranger flirts, builds trust, then asks for money “for hospital bills” or “visa processing.”

The Red Flags

• Urgency: “Do this now or else!”

• Requests for codes or money: No company will ever ask for your OTP.

• Grammar issues: Many scam messages are oddly worded.

• Unfamiliar numbers: Customer care usually uses verified IDs.

• Too good to be true: Big promises, little proof.

How to Stay Safe

1. Never share verification codes. Even with friends or family.

2. Enable 2FA in WhatsApp (Settings → Account → Two-step verification). Add a secret PIN.

3. Verify group authenticity. If added to an “investment” or “job” group, do a quick Google search.

4. Call to confirm. If a friend asks for money via WhatsApp, call them directly.

5. Educate family members. Many scams succeed by targeting less tech-savvy people.

What To Do If You Fall Victim

• If your WhatsApp gets hijacked, quickly log in again with your phone number.

• Enter the SMS code. This kicks out the hacker.

• If they’ve set a 2FA PIN, email WhatsApp support: support@whatsapp.com