Warning over scam operations and fraudulent links on WhatsApp!

The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement:

"The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces renews its warning to citizens over the growing number of cyber fraud attempts via the WhatsApp application. It has recently been observed that unknown individuals are exploiting WhatsApp accounts belonging to known persons (friends or relatives) after hacking them, and contacting their contacts by sending fake invitation links to join groups (WhatsApp group) under the pretext that they include mutual friends.

It has also been found that these links lead to fraudulent pages that ask the user to enter or share the one-time password (OTP) received via SMS, enabling the scammer to register the phone number on their own device and gain full control over the victim’s WhatsApp account.

After taking control of the account, the scammer uses it to contact the account holder’s contacts in the same manner, and sometimes requests sums of money through applications or money transfer services approved in Lebanon, impersonating the account owner and using various pretexts.

First: This Directorate General asks citizens to adhere to the following:

- Do not click on any untrusted group invitation link, even if it comes from a relative or someone you know, unless you contact them personally first.