WhatsApp scam message examples
Example scam messages
Hi Mum, this is my new number, my phone got smashed. I need to pay a bill before 5pm and my banking app is locked out on the old phone. Can you transfer $500 to a friend's account for me? I'll fix you up tonight, promise x
What gives it away:
- An unknown number claiming to be family, plus a money request, is the 'Hi Mum' pattern; the affection and small talk are part of the script
- The 'banking app is locked out' story is the reason offered for why you should pay on their behalf; check with your child before moving any money
- Call your child on the number already stored in your phone before you reply or pay; if they pick up, you have your answer
A WhatsApp message, sometimes from a contact whose account was already taken over: 'So sorry, I accidentally typed your number when logging in. A 6-digit code just came to your phone by SMS. Can you send it through? I'm locked out until you do.'
What gives it away:
- That code is the thing the message is really after; WhatsApp's guidance is not to share your registration code with others, not even friends or family
- The story isn't impossible, so the safe rule is to not share the code with anyone, however believable the reason
- Even a saved friend's name proves nothing here: WhatsApp says if you receive a suspicious message from a known contact, their account could be compromised
How to check a message you've received
Never tap a link in an unexpected message. Instead, paste the text into the free message checker for an instant verdict, or check a suspicious link with the link & website checker. To verify directly, contact WhatsApp through its official app or the number on its real website — never the details in the message itself.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this WhatsApp message real or a scam?
The messages on this page are defanged examples of WhatsApp impersonation scams — illustrations modelled on common scam patterns, not genuine WhatsApp messages. To judge a specific message you've received, paste it into the free Scam Scanner checker for an instant verdict, or verify it directly through WhatsApp's official app or website.
How can I tell a fake WhatsApp message from a genuine one?
WhatsApp says someone trying to take over an account needs the SMS verification code sent to that phone number, and that you should not share your registration code with others, not even friends or family. The examples below break down the tells that give a fake away — unexpected links, urgency, and requests for payment or details. If anything asks you to click a link or hand over information, treat it as suspicious until you've verified it independently.
What should I do if I already clicked a link or paid?
Act quickly: contact your bank, then follow the step-by-step recovery guide at /what-to-do. It walks you through who to contact — your bank, IDCARE and the right reporting channel — in the order that matters most.