<div id="readability-page-1"><div><figure><div><div><p><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/K49NyInRhCq5VPm4Tu7KXw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NzM-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/0c425cfc3adcbed2217ecf285f1f84b7?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="1242" height="873" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/K49NyInRhCq5VPm4Tu7KXw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NzM-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/0c425cfc3adcbed2217ecf285f1f84b7"/></p></div></div><p></p><figcaption>In such scams, victims would receive SMSes informing them of issues with their WhatsApp account due to prolonged lack of verification.</figcaption><p></p></figure><p>SINGAPORE - The police on Nov 12 warned of a new method that scammers are employing to take over victims’ WhatsApp accounts – sending SMSes containing phishing links to deceive victims.</p><p>In such scams, victims receive SMSes informing them of issues with their WhatsApp accounts due to prolonged lack of verification.</p><p>They are then prompted to verify their accounts through a phishing link that leads to a fake WhatsApp webpage, said the police.</p><p>When victims enter their mobile number and verification code on the fake WhatsApp webpage, their WhatsApp account is then taken over by scammers, who send fraudulent loan requests to the victims’ contacts.</p><figure><div><div><p><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/c0zKKWdWUTzq7fOfDggJjQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMTUw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/ef929a4890da228eed00af9f7bf0bf39?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="1242" height="1150" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/c0zKKWdWUTzq7fOfDggJjQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMTUw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/ef929a4890da228eed00af9f7bf0bf39"/></p></div></div><p></p><figcaption>Victims would be prompted to verify their accounts through a phishing link that leads to a fake WhatsApp webpage.</figcaption><p></p></figure><p>The victims realised they had been scammed only when they are logged out of their WhatsApp accounts, discover unknown devices linked to their accounts, or when they are notified by their contacts on the fraudulent loan requests, said the police.</p><p>Those who suspect their WhatsApp accounts have been compromised should contact WhatsApp for recovery of their accounts at the following link: https://faq.whatsapp.com/1131652977717250</p><p>Members of the public can also call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline on 1799 to check.</p><p>According to the latest figures released by the police in August, close to $500 million was lost to scams in the first half of 2025, with almost 20,000 cases reported in Singapore.</p><figure><div><div><p><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/QY3ykq2eMCqPjXVJGylZMg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/959fae83a4660c3f34e143fe25c86aee?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="1242" height="828" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/QY3ykq2eMCqPjXVJGylZMg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/959fae83a4660c3f34e143fe25c86aee"/></p></div></div></figure><p>Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction</p><p>Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here</p></div></div>

META

<p>The Singapore police have issued a warning about a new scam targeting WhatsApp users. Scammers send SMS messages with phishing links, tricking victims into verifying their accounts on a fake WhatsApp webpage. Once victims enter their mobile number and verification code, scammers take over their accounts and send fraudulent loan requests to their contacts. Victims often realize they've been scammed when they are logged out or notified by friends. In the first half of 2025, nearly $500 million was lost to scams in Singapore, with around 20,000 cases reported.</p>

- The Singapore police issued a warning on November 12 about a new scam targeting WhatsApp users, where victims receive SMS messages with phishing links.  
- These messages falsely inform users of account verification issues, leading them to a fake WhatsApp webpage to enter their mobile number and verification code, resulting in account takeovers.  
- Victims often realize they have been scammed when they are logged out or notified by contacts about fraudulent loan requests, with significant financial losses reported in the first half of 2025.

Police warn of new ruse scammers are using to take over victims’ WhatsApp accounts