HK warns of fraudsters hijacking WhatsApp accounts

The Hong Kong Police Force on Monday warned the public of WhatsApp account hijacking scams, with 93 cases reported in March alone, resulting in losses exceeding HK$10 million. 

Writing on Facebook, the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau said members of the public should stay vigilant, particularly when receiving urgent money requests from overseas contacts on the messaging platform.

Scammers impersonate family and friends

According to authorities, fraudsters typically hijack users’ WhatsApp accounts, study their past conversations, and then impersonate the victim’s friends or relatives.

They mimic the victim’s usual chatting style before fabricating emergencies, such as medical incidents or travel issues, to pressure victims into transferring money.

Police urge public to follow four "Self-Protection Tips"

To combat the scams, police advised citizens to adopt four key precautions:
- Log out of all unrecognized linked devices and enable two-step verification
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links sent via WhatsApp
- Never share passwords or verification codes with anyone
- Always call to verify if a contact unexpectedly asks for money