2 min read
Waleed Anwar, the Assistant Commissioner of Hajira in Azad Kashmir, recently became a victim of a WhatsApp hacking scam. Fraudsters tricked him with a fake phone call, and he soon lost access to his account. This incident reflects the rising cases of digital fraud affecting people across Pakistan.
According to officials, the scammers called him while pretending to represent a courier service. They claimed they needed to confirm details about a parcel delivery. During the call, they asked him to share a verification code sent to his phone.
Once he shared the one-time password, the attackers gained full control of his WhatsApp account. Soon after, the hacker began sending messages to people in his contact list. The messages requested money and financial assistance.
Waleed Anwar later addressed the issue on his official social media accounts. He confirmed that his WhatsApp account had been compromised. He clearly warned the public not to respond to any suspicious messages sent from his number. He also urged citizens not to send money under any circumstances.
Local administration officials said this method of fraud has become common. Scammers often pose as courier company staff to create urgency and trust. They tell victims that a parcel or important document is waiting for delivery. Then they ask for a verification code or OTP sent to the victim’s mobile phone.
However, once someone shares that OTP, hackers can instantly access the WhatsApp account. After that, they use the account to target friends, family members, and colleagues. In many cases, they demand money or attempt further scams.
Authorities have now advised citizens to stay alert. They stressed that legitimate courier companies never ask for OTPs or verification codes. Officials also encouraged users to enable two-step verification on WhatsApp for added security. In addition, people should always verify suspicious claims through official helplines.
