WhatsApp Rule: Scammers are laying a trap, if you make this mistake on WhatsApp, it is a disaster, how to be careful?

This scam originates from advertisements spread on social media platforms, which offer the lure of online earnings. Scammers contact you and say that you just need to do a small digital task.

Next, they take you to a website or app that displays a WhatsApp Web QR code. They ask to scan it which looks a lot like registration.

But the moment you scan it, your WhatsApp is linked to an unknown device, just like when you run WhatsApp Web on a laptop.

It does not end here. Once the scammer’s device is connected to your WhatsApp, they have complete freedom to freely access your chats, contacts, send messages and abuse the account.

All this happens silently, without any warning and you won’t even know that your account is under someone else’s control. That’s why this scam is called ‘WhatsApp Mule Scam’, because scammers use your number to do fraud all over the world, where the real victim is you.

According to I4C, these Mule accounts are used for international scams. Scammers send people phishing links in your name, demanding money or an investment scam. Since messages remain your number, victims believe them easily. And when the police investigate, your number comes up, which can lead to direct legal jeopardy on you.

The best protection is to be alert to avoid such incidents. Don’t scan any unknown QR code, no matter how attractive the offer. Make sure to check ‘Linked Devices’ in WhatsApp settings and log out immediately if any unknown devices are seen.

Also, it is very important to turn on two-step verification to keep your account more secure. Remember, genuine companies will never ask you to link or rent WhatsApp accounts. Risking your digital identity for the sake of a few bucks can be extremely dangerous.