A friend or family member always wants to help you. But if this is done via WhatsApp, there is a chance that it is a scammer pretending to be someone you know.
How do they do that?
It is (unfortunately) very simple. WhatsApp fraudsters first go to Marktplaats, which often contains a seller’s real name and phone number. With this data they surf to Facebook to find them. There they find out who are good friends and relatives. The scammers use their profile picture and then send someone a message. In most cases they ask for money, in the hope that someone will of course be willing to help someone they know.
Message received?
Do you receive a request to transfer money on WhatsApp? Always contact us via another channel to check whether it is not a scammer. Only when you have spoken to that person via another channel, you can be sure that the app is reliable. You can then transfer the money.
You can do this as a precaution
You can take a number of precautions yourself to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of fraud. The TV show Scammed?! list them:
– do not state your telephone number with your advertisement on Marktplaats, but only give it if you have e-mail contact with a potential buyer
– hide your Facebook profile or make it only accessible to friends
– also screen your friends list on Facebook
– google the number or email address with which you will be contacted; if it has been used more often for fraud, there are posts about it here
Source: Scammed?!
