GhostPairing Scam Explained: No Password, No SIM Swap—Yet WhatsApp Accounts Are Still Being Hacked

GhostPairing Scam: A new and alarming cyber fraud targeting WhatsApp users has come to light, raising serious concerns about account security. Unlike traditional hacking methods, this scam does not require stealing passwords, SIM cards, or verification codes. Instead, cybercriminals are exploiting WhatsApp’s device-linking feature to silently gain full access to user accounts. Cybersecurity experts have named this emerging threat GhostPairing.

What makes this scam especially dangerous is that it relies entirely on social engineering, not technical vulnerabilities. Victims unknowingly give hackers permission to link a malicious device to their WhatsApp account, allowing attackers to monitor messages, download media, and impersonate the user—without triggering any obvious warning signs.

What Is the GhostPairing Scam?

GhostPairing is a sophisticated scam that misuses WhatsApp’s legitimate Linked Devices feature, which allows users to access their account on WhatsApp Web or additional devices. Hackers trick users into approving an unauthorized device, effectively giving them long-term access to the account.

Cybersecurity experts warn that this scam is difficult to detect because the victim’s phone continues to function normally. There is no forced logout, no OTP theft, and no visible account takeover—making the compromise almost invisible.

How the GhostPairing Scam Works

According to a report by cybersecurity firm Gen Digital, the scam usually begins with a harmless-looking message from a known contact, such as:

“Hey, I just received your photo!”

The message includes a link that appears legitimate and even shows a Facebook-style preview image, which lowers suspicion and increases the chances of the user clicking on it.

Once clicked, the link redirects the user to a fake webpage designed to look like a Facebook photo viewer. Before allowing access to the supposed content, the page asks the user to “verify” themselves.

In reality, this step secretly triggers WhatsApp’s official device pairing process.

Here’s what happens next:

• The user is asked to enter their mobile number

• WhatsApp generates a numeric pairing code

• The fake webpage instructs the user to enter this code inside WhatsApp, presenting it as a routine security check

By entering the code, the user unknowingly approves the attacker’s device as a linked device.

What Hackers Can Do After Gaining Access

Once GhostPairing is successful, attackers gain full access via WhatsApp Web, which allows them to:

• Read all incoming and past messages

• Download photos, videos, and documents

• Send messages pretending to be the victim

• Receive messages in real time

The most dangerous part is that the victim is not logged out, and WhatsApp continues to work normally on their phone. As a result, users may remain unaware for weeks or even months unless they manually check their linked devices.

Rapid Spread Through Trusted Contacts

The GhostPairing scam was first detected in Czechia, but experts believe it has strong potential to spread globally. Instead of mass spamming, hackers use compromised accounts to send similar fake links to contacts and group chats, leveraging trust between friends, family, and colleagues.

Because the messages come from known contacts, recipients are far more likely to click the links—allowing the scam to spread quickly and quietly.

Researchers have emphasized that GhostPairing does not bypass encryption or exploit software bugs. Instead, it abuses WhatsApp features that function exactly as designed. This makes the threat even more concerning, as the attack remains effective until users manually remove the linked device.

Why This Scam Is Particularly Dangerous

• No password theft or SIM swap involved

• No unusual activity alerts in many cases

• Exploits user trust rather than technical flaws

• Linked devices remain active until manually removed

This means a compromised account can stay under surveillance for a long time without the user realizing it.

How to Protect Yourself From the GhostPairing Scam

Cybersecurity experts recommend the following steps to stay safe:

• Regularly check Linked Devices:
  Go to WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices and remove any unfamiliar sessions immediately.

• Be cautious with links:
  Avoid clicking on links asking you to verify photos, videos, or accounts—even if they come from known contacts.

• Never enter pairing codes on websites:
  WhatsApp pairing codes should only be used intentionally when you are personally linking a device.

• Enable Two-Step Verification:
  This adds an extra layer of protection and makes unauthorized access more difficult.

• Stay alert to unusual behavior:
  Unexpected messages sent from your account or strange replies from contacts could indicate compromise.

Final Takeaway

The GhostPairing scam highlights a growing trend in cybercrime where human trust is exploited instead of technical weaknesses. As messaging apps add convenience features like device linking, users must stay informed and vigilant.

WhatsApp remains secure at a technical level, but scams like GhostPairing prove that awareness is the strongest defense. Regular checks, cautious clicking habits, and basic security settings can go a long way in keeping your account safe.