The Ministry of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) has issued an urgent warning to the public regarding a sophisticated WhatsApp scam targeting group chat members.
The scam, which involves fraudulent calls from individuals claiming to represent WhatsApp groups, has already attempted to compromise multiple users’ accounts.
Gordina Hector-Murrell, Cyber Security Director at the Ministry, revealed that she personally encountered the scam attempt on Saturday morning.
“The scammers are using a particularly deceptive approach by exploiting existing WhatsApp group memberships,” she explained during an interview with Observer.
According to officials, the scam follows a consistent pattern: victims receive calls from numbers with Nigerian area codes. The caller, typically a male with an African accent, claims to represent a WhatsApp group the victim belongs to. The scammer mentions an upcoming Zoom meeting for the group, and the victims are sent either a link to click or a verification code to enter.
“What makes this scam particularly dangerous is that the perpetrators have already compromised at least one member of these groups, giving them access to the group member list,” Hector-Murrell warned. “This allows them to make their approach seem more legitimate by referencing actual groups the victim belongs to.”
The Cyber Security and Communications Department has issued several recommendations to protect against these attacks:
- Do not click on any links or verify codes sent by unknown callers
- Verify any group-related communications with known group members
- Block and report suspicious numbers through WhatsApp
- Exercise particular caution with calls from unfamiliar international numbers
One confirmed number associated with these attacks is +234 903 891 0718, though authorities warn there may be others in use.
Officials emphasize that falling victim to this scam can result in a complete account takeover, potentially exposing personal information and contacts to further fraud attempts.
“The best defense is awareness and verification,” Hector-Murrell concluded. “If you receive an unexpected call about any WhatsApp group, take the time to independently confirm the legitimacy of the communication through trusted channels.”
The Ministry continues to monitor the situation and urges anyone who encounters suspicious activity to report it immediately to their Cyber Security Department.
