Scammers never
take a day off. And how do we know this? Well, they keep coming up with news
ways and means to trick us. A fresh WhatsApp scam is running about and is
tricking users with the promise of free Internet.
Some WhatsApp
users have reported having received a message where the sender is promising
free Internet service without using any Wi-Fi network. The message reads like
this…
“You can already get Internet Free Without WI-FI
with WhatsApp and it is by means of invitations, here I give you an invitation!
> download link”
Besides being
poorly written, this message is complete nonsense from a technical point of
view. Without Wi-Fi, the only way you can access the Internet is through an
active cellular data service (2G/3G/4G) – which is not free, unless you are
using a special pack. But however nonsensical it may sound, this WhatsApp scam
can manage to trick some people who might not give much thought to it.
What happens when you click on the link?
Clicking on the link displays a page where you must share the invitation to 13 friends to be able to use the free Internet. The page also flaunts comments from different users who have tried this service. All these users and comments are fake and just one more bait to push you further into the trap.
Clicking on the link displays a page where you must share the invitation to 13 friends to be able to use the free Internet. The page also flaunts comments from different users who have tried this service. All these users and comments are fake and just one more bait to push you further into the trap.
What happens when you share the invitation?
Once you have shared the ‘fake’ invitation, you will be taken to other fraudulent web pages where you might be subscribed to costly SMS services without your consent or a potentially dangerous third-party app will be downloaded on your phone.
Once you have shared the ‘fake’ invitation, you will be taken to other fraudulent web pages where you might be subscribed to costly SMS services without your consent or a potentially dangerous third-party app will be downloaded on your phone.
And what’s the bottom line?
You will never get the free Internet service because it didn’t exist to start with.
You will never get the free Internet service because it didn’t exist to start with.
Tips to avoid falling for such WhatsApp scams
If any app is offering you a service for free or at a low cost, ensure
you verify it by visiting the app’s official website, before acting upon it.
Never click on links received from unknown users, especially when the
message talks about free offers.
Install a reliable mobile antivirus app that can prevent you from reaching fraudulent
or dangerous websites, and block the download of malicious apps.
If you think you
might have clicked on links which are a part of such similar scams, run an
antivirus app and it should clean your mobile device.
If you find this
story helpful, share it with your
friends.
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