Overview
- Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency warned of a surge in scams tied to New Year greetings and promotional messages.
- Officials flagged fake congratulatory notes carrying malicious links and claims of gifts, prizes or cash that aim to steal data or money.
- The agency said fraudsters impersonate brands or acquaintances on messaging apps and social media, urging users to verify offers and report suspicious activity.
- For suspected WhatsApp account takeovers, users should uninstall and reinstall the app to re-register via the six‑digit SMS code, which logs out any unauthorized user.
- If two-step verification has been set without the user’s PIN, WhatsApp may impose a wait of up to seven days, during which messages remain inaccessible to others.