Modern scammers tend to lurk in popular messaging mobile applications like WhatsApp and Google Chat, since people are more impulsive and vulnerable in one-on-one messaging. Since scams have become so varied and advanced, no one is completely secure from becoming a victim of the culprit. Learn tips on how to protect your personal or business information and money while chatting online with this crash-course guide by the X-Ray Contact research team.
Why Do Scammers Use WhatsApp and Google Hangouts for Scams?
Messaging apps are a convenient place for culprits to organize and enact their schemes. WhatsApp and Google Chat offer a level of anonymity and privacy, allowing scammers to hide their identities. They can create fake profiles, use pseudonyms, or even impersonate legitimate individuals or businesses without revealing their true identities. Moreover, people are accustomed to using messaging apps for personal and business communication. This familiarity increases the chance that users will respond to messages, even from unknown contacts. However, each platform also has its own unique features that attract the scammers.
Learn Why Scammers Use Google Chat
Here are some peculiar features of the Google Chat service that make it attractive to scammers:
- Integration with Gmail. Google Chat is part of Google’s set of tools, allowing scammers to use a single platform for a variety of scams. They can integrate their schemes with email-based phishing or impersonate legitimate businesses using Google Workspace. The scamming possibilities are almost endless if you get access to one’s Google ecosystem.
- Less Suspicious Environment. Most people are prepared for social media scams or fraudulent attacks on small-size websites. However, due to Google’s brand recognition and popularity, scammers can use this familiarity to their advantage, making it less likely that users will suspect a scam. That’s why you should stay vigilant, no matter how secure and reliable the platform is.
Why Do Scammers Use Messaging Apps Like WhatsApp?
In other cases, WhatsApp is a more convenient option for some scammers due to the following reasons:
- End-to-End Encryption. This high level of encryption protects users’ privacy but also makes it harder for authorities to track scam activity or recover stolen information. Hence, the fraudsters use it as a loophole to abuse the platform without being caught.
- Group Messaging. Scammers can use group chats to target multiple people simultaneously without raising suspicion, That is how they manage to spread scams quickly without much effort.
Types of Google Chat and WhatsApp Scams
There are many ways scammers can exploit your empathy, shock, greed, fear or even romance to get data and money. Let’s overview some scams that you may encounter while using Google Chat or WhatsApp.
Dating Types of Scams
This common scam preys on the emotional connection and vulnerability of the victim. The scammers use fake profiles to contact users on Google Chat or WhatsApp to just chat. Then, the communication quickly becomes romantic, and scammers ask for personal favors such as money or gifts. Even though an unknown user who contacts you out of the blue might seem genuine and real, be aware of the risks and dire scenarios.
Business Scams
Here, the concept of the scam is to impersonate well-known businesses, offering fake promotions, discounts or customer support. Then, the scammers request personal or financial information to defraud the user. That’s why you should double-check whether the details of the phone number or an account that reached out to you match the contact list on the business’s website. Otherwise, don’t give them your personal data.
Phishing Type of Google Chat and WhatsApp Scams
Scammers may send malicious links that lead to fake websites, where users are asked to enter personal information or download malware. These schemes are often disguised as a form to claim a present or a prize so that the user is more incited to click on the dangerous link and reveal personal info.
Subscription Scams
In this scenario, scammers claim that users need to pay a fee to continue using WhatsApp, asking for payment information of the user. However, such claims are completely false since WhatsApp is a free mobile application.
Fake Family or Friends Request Scams
Oftentimes scammers pretend to be a family member or friend in a crisis situation, asking for money to help with an emergency. The goal of this scam is to take advantage of your shock and empathy for your loved one. That’s why you should always stay cool-headed and rational when contacted by strangers online, and reach out to your friend or family member directly before making any transactions.
Are Google Chat and WhatsApp Scams Any Different?
Even though some popular scam types prevail on all social media and messaging apps, each online platform has more common schemes based on user activity, protection level, features of the site etc. You should know the differences to critically assess whether you became a target of a scammer.
What Are Google Chat Scams?
Some types of scams are more common for Google Chat compared to other messaging apps or social media. Since it’s part of Google’s productivity tool set, it’s primarily used for workplace communication rather than for personal use. Furthermore, Google Chat can be used to receive automated notifications and alerts from various applications and services. That’s why some popular Google Chat schemes are:
- Fake Business Emails. Scammers impersonate business executives, managers, or trusted colleagues to trick you into revealing corporate or personal data. They might send messages requesting urgent fund transfers, confidential information or even sensitive company data like passwords or financial details. That’s why you should always have an alternative communication channel to double-check with your team before providing such info.
- Tech Support Scams. Scammers might be pretending to be from a tech support team and claim that there’s a problem with the user’s account or system. They may request remote access to the user’s device or ask for payment to resolve the supposed issue. You should immediately clarify this issue with your cybersecurity and tech teams to warn others that culprits are trying to penetrate the system.
- Fake Job Offer. Scammers create offers or impersonate recruitment professionals on Google Chat. They reach out to users with attractive job opportunities, asking for personal information, payment for training materials or other fees. If the offer seems too good to be true, it is likely a scam targeted to abuse your interest.
What Are WhatsApp Scams?
In comparison to Google Chat scheme types, WhatsApp scams are more personal and designed to abuse your trust in other users. WhatsApp scams often rely on building personal relationships or exploiting existing connections to deceive users. Beware such scenarios:
- Account Stealing Schemes. For example, scammers may attempt to gain control of your WhatsApp account by tricking you into providing verification codes or personal information. Once they have access, they can use your account to scam others on your contact list. That’s how you might not just become a victim yourself but endanger your whole WhatsApp contact list who would trust a message from your account.
- Sextortion Scams. Scammers develop a relationship with the victim over time, often posing as someone attractive or charismatic. The relationship develops quickly and they request intimate photos or videos in the conversation. If you send these sensitive files, scammers will blackmail you to pay out, or otherwise, they will publicly reveal this content. They will likely continue taunting you even after you send them money, causing both emotional and psychological damage to the victim.
- Investment Scams. Here, the scammers exploit the victim’s desire to make easy money. They reach out to users in order to promote investment opportunities that promise high returns with little or no risk. Such culprits opt for cryptocurrencies, forex trading or other speculative investments, leading to financial loss for those who invest. Be careful with your financial decisions, and don’t be misled by the investment advice of strangers with no credentials.
How to Avoid Google Chat Scam
You can take cautionary measures and prevent the stress of being harassed by a scammer on Google Chat with these tips:
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication. Enable MFA for your Google Workspace account to add an extra layer of security. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your account, even if someone obtains your password.
- Stay Connected With Your Team. Don’t shy away from double-checking any operational requests you’ve received with the manager or your colleagues before proceeding with an action.
- Avoid Downloading Suspicious Files. Do not download files or attachments from unknown sources. Scammers may use malware or spyware to compromise your company’s system.
How to Avoid WhatsApp Scam
Similarly, there are things you can do beforehand to minimize the risk of falling victim to the WhatsApp scams:
- Utilize Two-Factor Authentication. Enable 2FA for your WhatsApp account to secure it further. This makes it more challenging for scammers to steal your account.
- Beware Impersonators. If something feels off when you are connected by a loved one on WhatsApp, take time to ask personal questions to make sure their account wasn’t hijacked. This rule especially applies when they ask for money or sensitive information all of a sudden.
- Be Cautious with Group Chats. If added to an unknown group chat, leave and block the admin to not be a victim of a mass-reach scam.
- Don’t Click on Suspicious Links. Stay careful with links sent through WhatsApp, especially those that seem out of place or offer unbelievable deals. Phishing and malware are top-tier risks.
Find Scammers on WhatsApp and Google Chat With X-Ray Contact
If you want to expose scammers who contacted you and save others from being trapped, use Socials search provided by X-Ray Contact. The website operates as a data aggregator with access to info from 15+ providers. If the person’s Google Chat or WhatsApp is found in the system, you will be able to unveil their real contacts. Here’s how the search goes:
- Select the “Platform” tab in the website’s header to kick off the investigation.
- Choose the “Socials search” option and insert a Google Chat or WhatsApp link of the scammer.
- In case the search is successful, you will get a full portfolio of the target’s digital footprint.
Conclusion
Even though scams are commonplace and no one can be 100 percent safe from the threat, use preventive measures and expose scammers with X-Ray Contact to save others from being violated.