OneCard is cautioning its users about WhatsApp Screen Mirroring Fraud, a deceptive practice that is rapidly gaining traction. The core of the scam is to exploit the screen sharing feature within WhatsApp to steal users’ sensitive data and potentially empty their bank accounts.
The fundamental aspect of this fraud is to trick individuals into activating screen sharing within their WhatsApp accounts. Once screen sharing is enabled, the fraudsters have full access to the user’s mobile screen, allowing them to observe sensitive data such as OTPs, bank details, passwords, and personal messages.
The scam usually begins with the fraudster assuming the guise of a bank employee or a financial services representative. They fabricate an issue with the user’s account and subsequently request the user to share their screen for resolution. To further deceive the victim, a WhatsApp video call is often requested.
As screen sharing is initiated, the scammer can monitor the user’s screen in real time. By observing the screen, they can monitor when the user is entering sensitive information, like OTPs or PINs, which are then used to commit fraudulent transactions.
Another technique used is the deployment of keylogger malware on the victim’s phone. This malware records every keystroke, potentially capturing crucial information, including banking and social media credentials. Many banking sites now provide on-screen keyboards to avoid these keyloggers.
Once the scammer has obtained your personal and financial data, they can proceed to carry out unauthorized transactions, drain your bank accounts, and engage in identity theft.