A Friend's Hacked WhatsApp Asking for Money
A message from a friend's real WhatsApp asks for an urgent loan. Their account may be hacked. How to check with a quick call, what to say, and how to help your friend recover.
The message looks completely normal. It is from your friend's number, with their photo and your whole chat history above it. They need a small amount urgently and will pay you back tomorrow. This is one of the most common WhatsApp scams, because the account really is your friend's; it is just not your friend using it.
How to check in one minute
- Call them on a normal phone call, not a WhatsApp call.
- Ask something only they would know, such as where you last met.
- Check with a mutual friend or family member if they cannot be reached.
"Don't call, I'm busy" is designed to stop the one check that would expose the scam. A real friend will understand you waiting until you can talk.
Other signs
- Unusual spelling, greetings or language for that friend.
- Payment to someone else's account or mobile money number.
- A request for a code "sent by mistake". See the code scam.
How to help your friend
Tell them through another channel that their account is being misused, and point them to WhatsApp account recovery and warning their contacts.
Unsure about a message? Paste it into CyberWatch AI Scan for a free check.
For more, see common WhatsApp scams.
Frequently asked questions
The message is from my friend's real number. How can it be a scam?
Their WhatsApp account can be taken over and used from another phone, so the name, photo and chat history all look normal.
What is the quickest way to check?
Call them on a normal phone call, not WhatsApp. If they do not answer, ask a question only they would know, or contact someone close to them.
I already sent money. What now?
Contact your bank or mobile money provider immediately, report the scam, and tell your friend so they can recover their account.
Sources
- About suspicious messages and scams, WhatsApp Help Center
- How to recover a compromised account, WhatsApp Help Center
- Scammers Use Fake Emergencies To Steal Your Money, US Federal Trade Commission
