Overview

• Consumer watchdogs in Brandenburg and major outlets urge people not to send photos of passports, ID cards or driver’s licenses via WhatsApp.
• Fraudsters impersonate law firms, banks or crypto platforms, sometimes using convincing letters, then demand WhatsApp “verification” with an ID image.
• With a single photo, criminals can open accounts or take loans in a victim’s name, triggering damaged credit files, debt collection and lengthy disputes.
• Security guidance from BSI and police recommends using certified portals or in‑person handover for identity checks, redacting or overlaying usage notes on copies, and password‑protecting files when digital transfer is unavoidable.
• Recent reporting cites a WhatsApp flaw used to deliver spyware, so users are advised to enable two‑factor authentication, lock the app, use view‑once or disappearing features, review linked devices, and report suspected misuse to police.