The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has warned the public about a rise in WhatsApp account hacks, noting a particular focus on women’s accounts. An FIA official explained that cybercriminals are accessing women’s accounts to steal personal data such as chats and media for blackmail purposes.
Furthermore, the official revealed that these criminals employ phishing and social engineering tactics to compromise accounts. Phishing tricks users into exposing sensitive information or engaging with harmful links.
The official emphasized that compromised accounts might spread inappropriate content or facilitate fraud. To counter this, the FIA recommends activating WhatsApp’s two-step verification for enhanced security.
Additionally, the agency suggests avoiding messages or files from unknown contacts, which could be malicious. The official advised regularly updating WhatsApp’s privacy settings to protect personal data.
In cases of account hacking, it is recommended that users contact the FIA via their 1991 helpline or visit an FIA office. Affected users should also notify WhatsApp support to restore account security and alert their contacts to prevent further fraud.