WhatsApp parcel scam targets women in Pakistan

KARACHI: Mobile phone users, particularly women, have been warned about a new WhatsApp scam in which fraudsters pose as representatives of courier companies to gain access to victims’ accounts and subsequently demand money from their contacts.

Cybercrime is rapidly increasing worldwide, with fraudsters employing increasingly sophisticated tactics to deprive unsuspecting users of their hard-earned savings. Pakistan has also witnessed a rise in such scams, with criminals now exploiting WhatsApp to target unsuspecting citizens.

In the latest scam, fraudsters reportedly contact victims through WhatsApp calls while posing as representatives of well-known courier companies. They claim that a parcel has arrived for the recipient and that a verification code is required to complete the delivery or confirm the recipient’s address.

The scammers then ask victims to share the one-time password (OTP) received on their WhatsApp account.

Once the victim shares the verification code, the fraudster can use the phone number to register the WhatsApp account on another device, effectively taking control of the account.

After gaining access, the scammers impersonate the account holder and contact family members, friends, colleagues and other acquaintances through the compromised account. They often create a sense of urgency by claiming to be facing an emergency and ask contacts to immediately transfer money.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has advised citizens to remain vigilant and never share WhatsApp verification codes or OTPs with anyone.

The authority has also advised people who receive calls regarding parcel deliveries to independently verify the caller’s identity by contacting the relevant courier company through its official channels.

Citizens have further been warned that cybercriminals may impersonate representatives of banks, mobile phone companies, courier services or government institutions to deceive them and obtain sensitive information.

The key warning is simple: Never share your WhatsApp verification code with anyone, regardless of who they claim to be.