Fraudsters are continuously devising new schemes to deceive individuals, and the latest threat appears to be originating from ordinary text messages. Recent research conducted by security experts at Malwarebytes reveals a significant increase in the distribution of fraudulent chats to smartphones.
Some of these messages may start with a simple ‘Hello’, while others imply prior acquaintance with the recipient. For instance, a message intercepted by Malwarebytes reads, “Hi, I noticed your contact information is saved in my contacts, can you remind me where we talked before.”
The primary objective of these deceptive messages is to establish a connection and extract personal details, which can then be exploited for data theft, as reported by The Express. Once a recipient responds, scammers engage in friendly conversations. Their ultimate aim is to earn trust and eventually transition the relationship into a lucrative romance or investment scam, according to Malwarebytes. Despite seeming implausible, these scams have proven to be remarkably effective.
One notorious tactic, known as the “Hi mum” ruse, where scammers pretend to be a family member in distress, has resulted in substantial financial losses to victims across the UK.
It is now imperative for individuals with iPhones or Android devices to remain vigilant, refrain from responding, and avoid clicking any links sent by unfamiliar contacts. Malwarebytes warns that responding to such messages confirms the active status of your number, potentially leading scammers to view you as an engaged reader willing to interact, thereby making your number a target for sale or sharing.
If you receive a suspicious message, follow this simple advice to stay safe.