Security experts have discovered a new fraud that allows hackers to take control of WhatsApp users' accounts with just a phone call. Rahul Sasi, the Founder and CEO of CloudSEk, a contextual AI startup that forecasts cyber dangers, warned about this new scam.
When victims receive a call from hackers, they are instructed to dial numbers beginning with 67 or 405. They are logged out of their WhatsApp accounts after making the call, and hackers have complete control of their accounts in seconds.
The number dialed by victims is a service request for Airtel's 'call forwarding' for when your phone number is busy or engaged. Attackers route the victims' calls to a phone number that they possess. Meanwhile, they begin the WhatsApp registration procedure by selecting “the option to send OTP through phone call.” The OTP will go to the attacker's phone because the victim’s phone is activated. The attacker is able to acquire access to the accounts of the victims in this way.
Sasi stated, “First, you'll get a call from the attacker, who will persuade you to dial **67*10 digit number> or *405*10 digit number>. Your WhatsApp would be logged out in a matter of minutes, and the attackers would have complete access to your account.”
This method may also be used to get into anyone's WhatsApp account provided the hacker has physical access to their phone and permission to make calls. WhatsApp scams are happening very frequently these days, and hackers are regularly coming up with new ways to cheat unsuspecting WhatsApp users into handing over control of their accounts.
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