Cybersecurity Threats in Everyday Life: WhatsApp Scams Targeting Normal People and Seniors

WhatsApp, with over 2 billion users worldwide, is a lifeline for staying connected—but it’s also a playground for scammers. These fraudsters don’t just cast a wide net; they tailor their tricks to exploit trust and vulnerability, hitting everyday folks and seniors especially hard. Let’s look at specific WhatsApp scams making waves in 2025, with real examples, how they work, and what you can do to stay safe.

The “Hi Mum/Dad” Impersonation Scam

How It Works: Scammers send a message from an unknown number claiming to be a loved one—often a son or daughter—who’s “lost their phone” or “got a new number.” They’ll say something urgent like, “I need money for a bill,” or “I’m in trouble,” and ask for cash via wire transfer or gift cards. Seniors are prime targets because they’re more likely to act quickly out of concern.

Real Example: In 2022, a UK journalist’s mother received this scam text: “Hi Mum, it’s Keith. I’m on a new number—collecting a phone today. Can you pay a bill for me? I’ll sort you later.” She sent £200 before realizing it wasn’t her son. Fast forward to 2025, and this scam’s still rampant, with losses averaging thousands per victim. Scammers now use AI to mimic voices, making fake calls sound eerily real.

Why Seniors Fall For It: Emotional manipulation is key. Seniors often want to help family fast and may not double-check a new number, especially if they’re not tech-savvy.

How It Hits Normal People: Anyone with kids or close contacts can get caught. The urgency—like a bill due “today”—pressures quick action without verification.

Protection Tips:

• Call the person on their known number to confirm. If “Keith” says he’s got a new phone, ring his old one first.
• Ask a personal question only they’d know: “What’s the name of your childhood pet?”
• Never send money to unverified numbers, especially via untraceable methods like gift cards.

The Verification Code Hijack

How It Works: You get an unexpected WhatsApp code via text, followed by a message from a “friend” saying, “Oops, I sent you my code by mistake—can you send it back?” If you do, the scammer uses it to log into your WhatsApp account on their device, locking you out. They then scam your contacts, pretending to be you.

Real Example: In March 2025, an Indian user reported on X: “An old acquaintance messaged me asking for a 6-digit code ‘sent by mistake.’ I got an SMS with the code and a WhatsApp alert about a login attempt. Nearly fell for it!” If he’d shared it, his account would’ve been hijacked, exposing chats and contacts.

Why Seniors Fall For It: They might not know WhatsApp’s verification process or recognize the login alert. A friendly tone from a “known” contact disarms suspicion.

How It Hits Normal People: Busy folks might skim the message and reply without thinking, especially if it’s from a familiar name.

Protection Tips:

• Never share a verification code—WhatsApp doesn’t “accidentally” send them.
• Enable two-step verification (Settings > Account > Two-step verification) to add a PIN scammers can’t bypass.
• If you get a code you didn’t request, ignore or block the follow-up message.

The Fake Job Offer “Task Scam”

How It Works: A recruiter messages you about a “work-from-home” job, promising easy money—like $50 per YouTube video liked or $300 daily for “data optimization.” They ask you to join a group or click a link, then demand a small “registration fee” or task payments. It’s a pyramid scheme or phishing trap.

Real Example: In 2023, Euronews uncovered a global scam netting €100 million, where WhatsApp users were lured with fake job texts from “Stella” offering $750 weekly in cryptocurrency for clicking app orders. Victims paid upfront fees, got nothing, and lost personal data. This scam’s still active in 2025, targeting job seekers.

Why Seniors Fall For It: Retirement savings make seniors juicy targets, and promises of easy income appeal to those on fixed budgets. They may not spot the red flags like upfront payments.

How It Hits Normal People: Job hunters of any age bite, especially with remote work hype. The quick cash lure blinds them to the scam’s flaws.

Protection Tips:

• Legit jobs don’t ask for money upfront—ever. Verify the company independently.
• Avoid clicking links from unsolicited messages; they might install malware.
• Report and block the sender via WhatsApp’s “Report” feature.

Why WhatsApp Is a Scammer’s Dream

WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption keeps chats private, but it doesn’t stop scammers from messaging you. With stolen phone numbers or hacked accounts, they blend in, using urgency and trust to trick victims. Seniors lose more—over $3.4 billion in 2023—because scammers bank on their savings and softer tech skills. Normal folks lose time, money, and peace of mind daily to these ploys.

Final Word on WhatsApp Safety

These scams aren’t slowing down—they’re getting smarter. That “Hi Mum” text or job offer might feel personal, but it’s a calculated con. For seniors, lean on family to double-check odd messages. For everyone else, pause before you act. Next time your phone pings, ask: “Do I know this for sure?” It could save you a fortune.

A Safer Digital Future with DMG Weblabs

At DMG Weblabs, a leading web development company in Toronto, we’re passionate about keeping the digital world safe and accessible for everyone. Beyond crafting secure, user-friendly websites, we’re committed to educating our community about online threats like these WhatsApp scams.

Whether you’re a senior navigating tech or a busy professional, our team can help you build a safer online presence—because staying connected shouldn’t come at the cost of your security. Reach out to us to learn more about protecting yourself in today’s cyber landscape!

You can connect with us today online, follow us on Facebook,  Instagram, or X (Twitter), or give us a call to get started.