Cybersecurity expert issues warning for South Africans using WhatsApp
Unfortunately, scams have become a significant issue worldwide, and perpetrators are becoming more cunning and convincing daily.
From fake AI videos to old-school phishing scams, criminals try to swindle victims in many ways.
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In 2025 alone, there have been warnings about a WhatsApp scam using deepfake technology and the City of Tshwane had to release a statement concerning a fake job advertisement circulating online.
Impersonating friends, family members, and colleagues is also a popular method of deception for acquiring money or sensitive information.
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Cybersecurity expert Lucas Molefe warns South Africans about a growing wave of scams targeting WhatsApp users.
Here is what you need to know:
- Scammers focus on SIM swaps, which steal the actual number and are usually done through phishing attempts.
- WhatsApp is connected to Instagram and Facebook, and scammers gather information such as your birthday and family connections to make their impersonation convincing.
According to Molefe, SIM swaps remain the most common and dangerous method as criminals trick victims into sharing one-time passwords (OTPs).
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Once the scammers have access, they can hijack WhatsApp accounts, bank profiles, and even broader digital identities.
The scam starts with fraudsters pretending to be someone you trust.
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They claim to have a new number or clone an existing number to appear legitimate. They also use stolen profile pictures to set up convincing duplicate accounts.
They increase pressure by creating urgent stories, compelling the victim to act immediately, a tactic used in most scams.
This happens a lot in NPOs and NGOs, and even in businesses. They impersonate a colleague and say, ‘Hey, I just want to check, do you see a WhatsApp OTP that just appeared? Can you give it to me quickly? I need it urgently.’ You’re going to give it because it comes with urgency.
Scammers use trust and urgency to exploit victims.
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How to identify warning signs and scams
Using personal information, criminals build what seems to be a convincing and credible impersonation.
The most common warning signs are:
- an unexpected message from someone claiming to have a new number.
- being asked for sensitive details or money with urgency.
- refusing to take voice or video calls.
- requests to share OTPs or click suspicious links.
BusinessTech reports that WhatsApp takeovers are often preceded by someone pretending to be a bank or service provider representative asking for the OTP sent to a user's phone.
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Recovering a hijacked account can be tricky, especially in SIM swap cases.
If it’s taken via SIM swap, they’ve actually taken control of your number, so that’s a bit difficult. The best advice is to go straight to your network service provider and tell them what’s happening, so they can help. It’s also important to alert your bank. Once your number is taken, it’s not just your WhatsApp that’s at risk, but your whole digital identity.
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Criminals often clone numbers so the victim and the scammer receive the same messages, making it hard to detect fraud.
The best defence is prevention, and can be done by:
- enabling two-factor verification.
- not sharing of OTPs or personal details via WhatsApp.
- verifying the person's identity through a call or face-to-face conversation.
If your account has been compromised through a SIM swap, contact your mobile provider and bank immediately to secure other accounts.
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