WhatsApp message to millions of users: report suspected scammers

WhatsApp says its users need to report suspected scammers because the instant messaging platform cannot read encrypted conversations.

Scammers have turned to the platform, The Standard reported last month, using it as a new route to send invitations for paid movie reviews and questionnaires, though the intention IS to lure victims with offers of rewards or payments.

A WhatsApp spokesman said although the platform strives to protect users from scams people should block and report suspicious messages.

Because the platform is end-to-end encrypted no one else - not even the platform operator - can read messages.

And it is understood the platform only receives the last five messages from an account when someone makes a report.

"WhatsApp works hard to protect our users from scams," the spokesman said. "We advise people to block and report suspicious messages and never click on links or share personal details with anyone they do not know.

"We also use advanced technology to spot suspicious behavior and ban scammers."

WhatsApp, Hongkongers' most-used social media app with more than 6.61 million users at the end of 2021, is however able to identify abusive behavior and suspicious accounts. Globally, it removes over two million accounts every month.

The Standard was shown messages people received on WhatsApp last month from senders who claimed to be employees of a media consultancy and also of a film production house.

The senders claimed they were recruiting people to rate movies and fill out paid questionnaires at a daily rate of HK$800 to HK$3,000. A reporter contacted the companies mentioned, but the film company said the message was not sent by its staff.

A spam message had been moving for a few days, the company added, and it had contacted the police force's e-report center.

The work invitations were sent from business accounts, and WhatsApp offered options for receivers to block or report them.

The WhatsApp Business app is a free app meant for small businesses. But anyone can download it like a regular WhatsApp account.

Police have also reminded people to stay alert for scammers on WhatsApp, with a message about jobs with "flexible hours."

The force's anti-deception coordination center logged 196 job scams in the first two weeks of April, which involved losses of over HK$40 million.

Among them were 136 cases of job scams with invitations sent via WhatsApp.

They accounted for 70 percent of total cases.

"People should pay extra attention to these job invitations," the force warned.

"They can use the anti-fraud search engine scameter as well as its scameter+ app to check senders' credibility by inputting contact information and bank accounts provided."

Over 100,000 suspicious calls and 2,200 hyperlinks have been blocked while 600 local mobile numbers had their service terminated since a task group made up of police, the Office of the Communications Authority and telecom operators was formed in September.

To further combat phishing messages sent via SMS the task group is considering setting up a sender address registration system.

A trial run in the banking industry will be rolled out by year's end.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com