Wa5.ru WhatsApp Scam: A New Threat to Your Online Security

In recent months, a new phishing scam has been circulating on WhatsApp, targeting users with offers of cash prizes and other enticing rewards. The scam uses a fake URL shortener called wa5.ru to redirect victims to fraudulent websites, where they are asked to complete surveys and provide personal information. While the scam is not new, it has been gaining traction in recent months, with scammers using the Capitec, Roblox and PhonePe brands to lure victims. In this article, we will take a closer look at the wa5.ru scam and provide tips on how to protect yourself from falling victim to this type of phishing attack.

QUICK LINKS

• Wa5.ru Whatsapp Scam Explained
• Is the Wa5.ru WhatsApp message a virus?
• What to do when you receive the Wa5.ru WhatsApp message?

Wa5.ru Whatsapp Scam Explained

The Wa5.ru WhatsApp scam is a type of phishing scam that targets WhatsApp users. In this scam, the attackers use WhatsApp to send messages to potential victims, which claim to offer a reward or prize in exchange for answering a short survey.

The message includes a link to the wa5.ru website, which is designed to look like a legitimate website for a shortened link service, but is in fact a fraudulent site. When a user clicks on the link, they are redirected to the wa5.ru website, where they are prompted to fill out a survey in order to receive a prize.

The survey questions typically ask for personal information, such as name, phone number, and email address, which the attackers can use to commit identity theft or other fraudulent activities. Once the victim has filled out the survey, they are directed to another website where they may be prompted to download malware or provide further personal information.

The Wa5.ru WhatsApp scam is particularly dangerous because it often appears to come from a trusted source, such as a friend or family member. The attackers use the “chain-letter” method to spread the message, which involves getting victims to forward the message to their contacts, thereby increasing the number of potential victims.

In one variant of the Wa5.ru scam, the attackers pretend to be Capitec Bank, a South African financial institution, and offer a chance to win up to R10 000 instantly by answering a short survey. The message creates a sense of urgency by stating that there are a limited number of gifts left. If the recipient clicks on the link in the message, they are directed to the Wa5.ru website, where they are prompted to fill out a survey that asks for personal information.

In another variant of the Wa5.ru scam, the attackers pretend to be Roblox, an online gaming platform, and offer a chance to win up to 22,500 Robux instantly by answering a short survey. Like the Capitec Bank scam, the message creates a sense of urgency by stating that there are a limited number of gifts left. If the recipient clicks on the link in the message, they are directed to the Wa5.ru website, where they are prompted to fill out a survey that asks for personal information.

In a new variant of the Wa5.ru scam, the attackers pretend to be PhonePe, a popular digital payment platform in India. The message claims that the recipient is now participating in PhonePe’s Anniversary giveaway and has a chance to win up to 20,000 by answering a short questionnaire. The message creates a sense of urgency by stating that there are only a few gifts left. If the recipient clicks on the link in the message, they are directed to the Wa5.ru website, where they are prompted to fill out a survey that asks for personal information. As with other variants of the Wa5.ru scam, the attackers use the victim’s personal information to commit identity theft or other fraudulent activities.

In some cases, the scam may require the victim to fill out a form with personal information in order to receive the supposed gift. For example, the Wa5.ru site instructs the victim to fill out a form in order to receive their gift. The form is accessed by clicking on the ‘FINISH’ button, which the site claims is a required step in order to receive the gift. The victim is then asked to wait for an administrator to check the form, which may take up to 24 hours.

Here’s how the Wa5.ru WhatsApp scam works, step-by-step:

1. The attacker sends an unsolicited message to the potential victim through WhatsApp, claiming to offer a free gift or prize in exchange for their participation in a survey or quiz. The message may be designed to look like it’s coming from a well-known brand, such as Capitec Bank, Roblox, or PhonePe to make it appear more credible.
2. The message includes a link that the victim is instructed to click on to access the survey or quiz. The link may be shortened or disguised to make it appear legitimate.
3. Once the victim clicks on the link, they are redirected to a fake website that mimics a legitimate brand or company. In some cases, the website may use JavaScript code to check if the request is coming from a mobile device such as a smartphone.
4. If the check passes, the website will access the victim’s geolocation data based on their IP address and redirect them to a fake survey page that asks the victim to answer questions. This fake survey is often used as a way to collect even more personal information from the victim.
5. In some cases, the victim may be asked to forward the message to a certain number of friends in order to receive the prize.
6. The victim is then asked to fill out a form with their personal information, such as their name, phone number, and address, in order to claim the prize.
7. After submitting the form, the victim may be shown a fake confirmation page that claims the prize is on its way.
8. However, the victim never actually receives the prize, and their personal information is used for malicious purposes, such as identity theft or financial fraud.

Is the Wa5.ru WhatsApp message a virus?

No, the Wa5.ru WhatsApp message itself is not a virus. Instead, it is a phishing scam designed to trick users into giving away their personal information. However, clicking on the links in the message can lead to malware infections or other malicious activity, so it’s important to avoid interacting with these messages altogether.

If you receive a suspicious message from Wa5.ru or any other unknown sender, do not click on any links or download any attachments. Delete the message and block the sender immediately to prevent further contact. To block a sender on WhatsApp, simply open the chat with the sender, tap on their name at the top of the screen, scroll down and select “Block Contact”. You can also report the sender as spam by tapping on “Report Contact” in the same menu.

Make sure to keep your device’s security software up to date and stay informed about the latest scams to stay safe online.

Examples of such scams

Scams similar to the Wa5.ru WhatsApp scam are unfortunately quite common, and many cybercriminals use similar tactics to trick people into providing personal information or visiting malicious websites. Below we’ll highlight a few examples of these scams to help you stay informed and avoid falling victim to them.

Here are a few links to examples of similar scams: Urltiny.ru Scam, Wa8.ru Scam, and Wp20.ru Scam.

Always be wary of WhatsApp messages that offer prizes or ask for personal information, and if you’re not sure if a message is legitimate, do some research or contact the company directly to verify.

What to do when you receive the Wa5.ru WhatsApp message?

If you receive a WhatsApp message with a Wa5.ru link, it is recommended that you do not click on it. This is especially true if the message came from an unknown sender or if the sender is not someone you know and trust. If the message came from a friend or relative, it is still important to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of the message before clicking on any links.

If you have already clicked on the link and provided any personal information, you should take immediate steps to protect yourself from potential identity theft or financial fraud. This includes monitoring your bank and credit card accounts for any suspicious activity, changing your passwords, and contacting your financial institutions to alert them of the potential breach. You may also want to consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your accounts to prevent any unauthorized access. Use the steps (https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed) to try to stop a transaction, get a transaction reversed, or get a refund.

Additionally, you should report the message to WhatsApp by tapping and holding on the message, selecting “Report”, and choosing the appropriate reason for the report. This will help WhatsApp to identify and take action against any accounts involved in spreading the scam.

Finally, you can take proactive measures to protect yourself from similar scams in the future by enabling two-factor authentication on your WhatsApp account, avoiding clicking on links from unknown or untrusted sources, and keeping your device’s operating system and antivirus software up to date.

Threat Summary

Conclusion: Staying Safe from Wa5.ru WhatsApp Scam and Similar Scams

The Wa5.ru WhatsApp scam is just one example of the many scams that cybercriminals use to try and trick people into giving away their personal information or visiting malicious websites. To stay safe, it’s important to be aware of the tactics that these scammers use, and to take steps to protect yourself.

Some general tips for staying safe from these types of scams include:

• Be wary of unsolicited messages or emails that offer prizes, ask for personal information, or contain suspicious links.
• Do not click on links in messages or emails unless you are sure they are legitimate. If in doubt, do some research or contact the company directly to verify.
• Keep your software and security systems up to date to help protect against malware and other threats.
• Use strong, unique passwords for your accounts, and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
• Educate yourself and stay informed about new and emerging threats in the cybersecurity landscape

By taking these steps and staying vigilant, you can help prevent cybercriminals from stealing your personal information or money. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!