The recent hacking of the WhatsApp number of Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno wasn’t just a serious security incident; it highlighted a disturbing trend of cybercrime in Nigeria.
The country has suffered a spate of attacks recently, on everyone from government officials to citizens, which has led to the authorities looking into ways of stopping them.
But just how did criminals access Governor Eno’s phone and how can they be prevented from a major breach in the future?
The Eno case
In a digital age where even the most powerful figures are vulnerable, the governor of Nigeria’s oil-rich Akwa Ibom state, Umo Eno, has fallen victim to a sophisticated WhatsApp hack. Fraudsters, impersonating the governor, sent messages to his contacts requesting urgent financial assistance – an example of a common tactic where criminals clone the number of the victim.
In this case, nobody transferred money, but it isn’t the first time a Nigerian governor has been targeted in such a scam. Just weeks prior, Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun state and uncle to Afrobeats star Davido, had his phone number compromised in a similar manner.
The Eno incident is an example of a growing number of WhatsApp frauds that take place across the world every day, and despite government efforts to combat this cybercrime, these scams continue to happen frequently in Nigeria.
The governor’s office has warned the Nigerian public to be vigilant and erase or report any suspicious messages, but many people in the country have called for tougher security against this type of attacks. The standard of anti-fraud measures in West Africa lags behind many other countries in Europe and Asia, where security in industries from digital banking to online casino play is made up of multiple layers of verification. This puts African users at higher risk than their European counterparts.
Other types of WhatsApp fraud
Scammers use various tactics to trick users into revealing personal information or sending money. They impersonate friends, family, or employers, offer fake prizes, or claim to be WhatsApp tech support. A recent data leak exposed millions of WhatsApp numbers, making it easier for scammers to target victims.
Here are a few examples that have come into the spotlight recently.
Friends and family scam
Scammers impersonate friends or family members in distress, often claiming to need urgent financial assistance.
They may use convincing tactics, such as deepfake voice messages, to deceive their victims.
The wrong number scam
Scammers intentionally contact you, pretending to be someone else. They engage in friendly conversations to gather information or promote fake investment opportunities, then take advantage of the recipient’s trust to get private banking details.
Lottery and giveaway scams
You receive messages claiming you’ve won a prize. These messages often contain links that lead to fraudulent websites requesting personal information or payment, which then debit your bank account until you put a block on it.
WhatsApp gold scam
Scammers offer a fake premium version of WhatsApp, often asking for a fee or personal information. This can lead to malware infections or account hijacking.
WhatsApp tech support scam
Scammers pose as WhatsApp representatives, asking for personal information or verification codes. They may claim to help you with technical issues.
Cryptocurrency scam
Scammers build relationships with victims, then introduce cryptocurrency investment schemes. They often use fake platforms and disappear with the victims’ money.
Fake job offer scams
Scammers offer fake job opportunities, often requiring upfront payments or personal information. They may promise high earnings and flexible work arrangements.
One of the key factors contributing to the success of these WhatsApp scams is social engineering.
Scammers often employ psychological tactics to manipulate their victims. They may use flattery, urgency, or fear to persuade individuals to share personal information or send money. In the case of the Nigerian governor, the scammers may have used the victim’s position of authority to create a sense of urgency and pressure.
As such it’s important to know what type of scams can come your way.
How to keep yourself safe from WhatsApp scams
To stay safe from WhatsApp scams, be cautious of suspicious messages, especially those requesting personal information or urgent payments.
Avoid clicking on unknown links and enable strong authentication features like two-factor authentication.
Keep your WhatsApp software updated to benefit from the latest security patches. Remember, if a message seems too good to be true, it probably is.
As the recent incident with the Nigerian governor demonstrates, even high-profile individuals can fall victim to scams. Simple precautions like these can significantly reduce your risk of being scammed.
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