National CERT Pakistan has issued a nationwide advisory warning of a sharp increase in WhatsApp hacking incidents, as cybercriminals step up fraud and social engineering attacks targeting users.
According to the advisory, attackers are using a range of deceptive tactics, including fake promotional links, fraudulent bank messages, impersonation of officials or known contacts, and requests for one-time passwords (OTPs) to gain unauthorized access to accounts.
Officials said many recent cases involve hackers taking control of a user’s account and then posing as that person to request urgent financial help from friends and family. These scams have led to multiple cases of financial loss.
The advisory strongly urges users to enable Two-Step Verification on WhatsApp, calling it a critical security feature. This adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a six-digit PIN in addition to the OTP when logging in.
Authorities also advised users to never share OTPs or PINs with anyone, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and verify any financial requests through a direct phone call.
Officials warned that scammers often create a sense of urgency or emotional pressure to trick victims, and urged citizens to remain cautious while using messaging platforms.
