A new wave of scams is hitting WhatsApp, and it’s surprisingly simple: someone tells you to “add this number” on WhatsApp. That’s it. No shady links, no infected files - just a phone number and a request. But what seems like harmless curiosity can easily lead to your personal data being stolen, your account hijacked, or your contacts being targeted.
I also ran across this type of scam recently on a marketplace where, after posting an ad, I started to receive direct messages in that app from people who were "interested" in what I had to sell. But they wanted to chat on WhatsApp only, asking what the title says. This is a tricky one and it prays on curiosity, so let's dive into the scammers' tactics.
Bitdefender security researcher Silviu Stahie unpacked this scam on the the HotforSecurity blog. Here’s how hackers con you:
The scam usually starts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or even TikTok. But it has expanded to other platforms as well. You’ll see a post or get a message saying something like:
“Add +1 (123) 456-7890 on WhatsApp. It’s crazy!”
Or worse:
“Don’t add this number on WhatsApp. You’ll regret it!”
Of course, people do the opposite - curiosity wins. You add the number. 🙄
The trap
Once you start chatting, the scammer might pretend to be a friend, a government official, a psychic, or someone in trouble. They’ll use social engineering to either trick you into giving away sensitive info, lure you into a scammy investment scheme, or send you malware disguised as an attachment.
In some cases, they may initiate a verification request that can compromise your WhatsApp account - especially if they convince you to share a six-digit code.
Why it works
It’s psychological. The reverse psychology of “don’t add this number” taps into people’s need to know what they’re missing. That curiosity leads to engagement. And from there, scammers do what they do best - manipulate, trick, exploit. And this is something the antivirus cannot protect you from, only vigilance and common sense can.
How to stay safe
- Don’t add random numbers. Ever. There’s no magic, no secret, no good reason to start chatting with a stranger from a meme.
- Watch for reverse psychology traps. “Don’t click this” or “you’ll regret it” is bait.
- Report and block any suspicious number or contact on WhatsApp immediately.
- Enable two-step verification in WhatsApp to secure your account.
- Think you’ve spotted a scam? Drop it into Scamio - our free AI-powered scam checker. It reads suspicious messages, URLs, and screenshots so you don’t have to fall for the trap. Fast, anonymous, no sign-up needed.
This tactic is simple, but that’s what makes it dangerous. In cybersecurity, sometimes the dumbest tricks are the most effective - especially when they prey on our own curiosity.
Has anyone here encountered this scam, and if yes, what did you do?
