Beware of new scam schemes! 50 y/o woman hacked after clicking WhatsApp message; scammer asks friends and family for loans
SINGAPORE: A female accountant became a victim of a crime after receiving a message from an acquaintance, claiming to view several documents. After clicking the message, the victim’s computer was hacked, resulting in her relatives and friends receiving loan requests, and more than a dozen people were asked to lend her $1,000 each. Case details revealed that a 50-year-old victim received a message…
A 50-year-old accountant from Singapore fell victim to a new scam scheme after clicking on a message sent via WhatsApp. The message, which claimed to contain documents, was sent by someone the victim knew from her professional life. Unbeknownst to her, clicking the message allowed hackers to gain access to her computer. As a result, her relatives and friends began receiving loan requests, with over a dozen people asked to lend her $1,000 each.
The victim initially dismissed the issue, thinking it was a minor glitch, as she had previously worked with the person who sent the message. However, her computer began displaying odd texts and programs were running erratically. It wasn't until her boss inquired about her borrowing money from others that she realized her computer had been hacked.
The scam went further when the hacker commandeered her WhatsApp account, sending out messages to her contacts asking for money. One of her colleagues, who believed the scam, transferred money. The victim immediately informed the police and took steps to secure her data by backing up her computer and reformating it.
This incident is not an isolated case. Another recent report details a separate crime where a 45-year-old Malaysian man took advantage of intoxicated men who were asleep, stealing their valuable possessions, including Rolex watches, gold necklaces, and mobile phones. Five out of seven victims involved in that case appeared in court to seek compensation.
Written by urgent.news from The Independent Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
