Reporting WhatsApp Scams to the Authorities
Report the account in WhatsApp, then to your bank and national reporting service. Where to report WhatsApp scams in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, India, the EU, Ghana and elsewhere.
Reporting a WhatsApp scam does two things: it helps get the account banned, and it gives police and fraud services the information they need to act and warn others. If you lost money, it also creates the record your bank may ask for.
Step 1: if money was lost, call your bank first
Call your bank or mobile money provider on its official number straight away. See what to tell your bank.
Step 2: report to the authorities
| Where | Report to |
|---|---|
| United States | FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. |
| United Kingdom | England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040. Scotland: Police Scotland on 101. |
| Canada | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501. |
| Australia | Scamwatch, and ReportCyber if you lost money or data. |
| India | Helpline 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in. |
| European Union | Your national service; Europol lists them on its "Report cybercrime online" page. |
| Ghana | Cyber Security Authority: 292, WhatsApp 0501603111, report@csa.gov.gh. Police: 18555 or 191. |
| Elsewhere | Your national police cybercrime unit. |
Step 3: report in WhatsApp
Open the chat, tap the name or number, and choose Report. See blocking and reporting. For groups, see reporting a scam group.
After reporting, beware of "recovery" offers. See recovery scams.
More: how to report a scam and what happens after you report. For more, see how to protect your WhatsApp account.
Frequently asked questions
Does reporting in WhatsApp tell the police?
No. In-app reports go to WhatsApp for review. To report a crime, contact the police or your national fraud reporting service.
I lost money. What order should I do things in?
Bank or mobile money provider first, then the national reporting service or police, then WhatsApp.
What information will they need?
The scammer's number, screenshots of the chat, payment details, dates and times.
Sources
- How to block and report someone, WhatsApp Help Center
- ReportFraud.ftc.gov, US Federal Trade Commission
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Government of Canada
- Report a scam, Scamwatch, Australian Government
- National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, Government of India
- Report cybercrime online, Europol
