WhatsApp Account Takeovers Surge as Hackers Use Delivery Scams, AI Voice Cloning, and Human Manipulation to Trick Victims

Cyberattacks are increasing at an alarming rate, and one of the most common methods now is WhatsApp frauds. Recently, popular actor-director Upendra and his wife Priyanka were victims of such a fraud, demonstrating how serious and prevalent cyberattacks have become.

She got a call from a person posing as a delivery agent from Dubai. The caller stated that her package could not be delivered and instructed her to dial a code. Her phone froze immediately after she did this. She accidentally forwarded the link to her husband, and when he clicked it, his phone stopped operating. Soon, her WhatsApp began sending false emergency messages to friends and relatives, requesting urgent funds.Many people felt it was genuine and replied. Calls to their phones were diverted, leaving the couple completely unaware. Later, they contacted the cyber helpline 1930 and informed others via social media. She additionally stated that scammers utilized AI-based voice cloning to imitate her voice.

The tactics behind WhatsApp scams

According to cyber experts, many frauds rely on deception rather than sophisticated hacking. Scammers frequently trick victims into merging calls or exchanging one-time passwords (OTPs). Once they get the WhatsApp verification code, they can take over the account and log in using their own device. After acquiring access, they imitate the victim and send urgent messages to friends and family requesting money. To make the attack more effective, fraudsters frequently strike while the victim is sleeping or working, causing the harm before anybody can respond.

Prevention measures against WhatsApp scams

• Verify Every Call: Don’t trust unknown numbers. Always double-check with caller ID apps before responding.
• Never Share Sensitive Codes: Avoid merging calls or giving away OTPs to anyone, even if they sound genuine.
• Turn On Two-Step Verification: Add an extra security layer by enabling two-step verification in WhatsApp settings.
• Check Linked Devices Regularly: Keep an eye on devices connected to your WhatsApp and log out of unknown ones.
• Stay Alert with Suspicious Activity: Treat unusual calls, links, or messages with doubt and confirm the source.
• Avoid Clicking Unknown Links: Experts warns users never to click on links from strangers or share sensitive details like the six-digit PIN code, not even with friends or family.

The rise of organized WhatsApp scams

Experts warn that WhatsApp scams are increasingly based on deception rather than technical weaknesses.Fraudsters act as delivery personnel or support professionals and use stolen data to trick victims into merging calls or sharing codes. This allows them complete access over the account, which they misuse with fake delivery calls, malware links, and even AI voice cloning. Once compromised, the entire contact network is at risk, so cybersecurity awareness is a shared responsibility.

If you ever lose money in such scams, report it immediately at cybercrime.gov.in, call the 1930 helpline, and file a complaint at your local police station. As fraudsters use more sophisticated AI-powered frauds, the best protection is awareness and safe online behaviors. Staying alert can safeguard not only your WhatsApp account, but also your entire network and organization from being compromised.

This article is based on information from The Indian Express