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WhatsApp's Screen Sharing Feature Is Being Abused for Scams; Learn How to Avoid Them
WhatsApp's Screen Sharing Feature Is Being Abused for Scams; Learn How to Avoid Them
The convenience offered by instant messaging applications like WhatsApp also brings new risks in digital crime. A scam currently emerging as a major threat is the exploitation of the Share Screen feature, a function originally intended to facilitate communication but now being misused to steal sensitive data and drain victims' bank accounts.
This threat is categorized as social engineering, where scammers psychologically manipulate victims into following their instructions.
How the Share Screen Scam Works
This scam operates systematically and exploits the victim's sense of panic:
- Impersonation of Authority: Scammers typically claim to be officers from official institutions (such as banks, government agencies, or e-commerce services). They pressure the victim by claiming there is an urgent matter that needs immediate resolution (for example, creating a digital ID/KTP, activating an account, or data correction).
- Directing to Share Screen: Once the victim is convinced, the scammer instructs them to activate the Share Screen feature. This function allows the scammer to view the victim's entire smartphone screen activity in real-time.
- Data Theft and Account Takeover: With the screen visible, the scammer can see all information that appears. They often send an OTP code to the victim's phone. When the victim unknowingly displays the OTP on their screen, the scammer can immediately take over the WhatsApp account or hack into banking/digital wallet applications.
The losses can be substantial, ranging from drained bank balances and identity theft to the misuse of the victim's account to defraud others. In a real-life case, even the Mayor of Central Jakarta was nearly targeted by a similar scam but successfully recognized the anomaly and thwarted the attempt.
Key Prevention Steps
Since this scam is highly dangerous—giving the scammer real-time access to sensitive data—the public is urged to take proactive steps:
Actions You Should Take
- Verify the caller's identity through official channels (e.g., the bank's call center or the official institution's website).
- Only use the Share Screen feature with people you truly trust.
- Activate Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on both WhatsApp and banking applications.
- Educate family members, especially vulnerable parents/seniors.
Actions You Must Not Take
- Never answer phone calls that sound urgent from an unknown number.
- Never share your screen while opening financial applications (mobile banking, e-wallet).
- Never give an OTP code to anyone for any reason.
- Don't rush to follow instructions from a caller claiming to be an official party.
This scam, which utilizes new features and social engineering, demonstrates that digital crime continues to innovate. By understanding these patterns and implementing simple preventative measures, we can protect ourselves from increasingly sophisticated threats. Always be wise when using app features and never easily trust suspicious calls.
Source :
https://cyberhub.id/tips-trik/penipuan-wa-lewat-share-screen
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