Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Whatsapp Video Call Scam and Sextortion
Whatsapp Video Call Scam and Sextortion

WhatsApp video call scam involves scammers video-calling potential victims. As soon as the call starts, the recipient of the call will see a person taking part in some sexual act or pretending to have a sexual conversation with the recipient. While this is going on, the scammers are recording the screen of the video call on their side with the recipient and person, to make it seem as if the recipient is taking part in such an act. Once the scammers have recorded enough, they will attempt to blackmail the recipient. They will threaten to expose the recipient by making the video public on the internet. This is called sextortion, which is similar to the emails scammers started sending out a few years ago, attempting to trick recipients into believing they hacked their computers and found videos of them in compromising positions.

Although the recipients did not do anything wrong, the video will make it seems otherwise. So, most victims will end up paying the extortion, because they think it will be really difficult to convince family and friends the fake recording is not what it seems. But, it is now a well-known scam, therefore, if you are being threaten with a Whatsapp Video Call scam by scammers, just ignore them. Let them know people are aware of their deception and they will not be able to fool anyone.

How to Protect Yourself

  • If possible, try not to answer WhatApp app video calls from unknown numbers.
  • If you answer a WhatsApp Video call and see someone indulging in so form of sexual act, hang up immediately and block the number.
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