New Year 2026: Beware! A New Year message on WhatsApp could empty your bank account; don't make this mistake..

The new year is approaching, and people are busy preparing for the celebrations. Taking advantage of this, cyber fraudsters have also become active. You might receive a message on WhatsApp in the name of New Year's greetings that may look special, but a single click can put both your mobile phone and bank account at risk. A small message sent in the name of New Year wishes can hack your entire phone and even empty your bank account.

Therefore, even a little carelessness can lead to heavy losses. If you receive any file or link on your phone with the name "New Year Wish" or "New Year Gift," it's crucial to be vigilant. Let's understand how this scam works and what you need to do to avoid it.

How does the New Year WhatsApp Scam begin?
This scam usually starts with a simple New Year's wish message. The WhatsApp message you receive on your phone says, "Happy New Year 2025," and asks you to click on a link or download an attached file to see your special greeting. Often, this message comes from an unknown number, but in many cases, it appears to come from a friend, colleague, or acquaintance. This is why people click on the link without thinking.

The trap is hidden in the APK file.
After clicking on the link, the user is taken to a colorful and festive webpage displaying New Year wishes. The site then asks the user to download an app to view the complete New Year greeting. This app is not available on the Google Play Store; instead, it's an APK file. This is where the real scam begins. This file becomes the biggest threat to your phone.

What is an APK?
An APK is a type of file used to install apps on Android phones. If this file comes from an unknown source, it may contain viruses or malicious software. The APK files being sent in the name of the New Year have names like New Year Gift.apk or New Year Greeting.apk, so that people download them thinking they are photos or videos. The app takes complete control of your phone.
As soon as this APK is installed on the phone, it requests permissions for SMS, notifications, contacts, and storage. Within a short time, apps start opening automatically on the phone, OTPs start arriving, your WhatsApp account can be hacked, and unauthorized bank transactions can even occur. Once this APK is installed, it requests permissions from the phone that have nothing to do with New Year greetings.

Through these permissions, scammers can read OTPs, access bank transaction details, and even send scam links to others from your WhatsApp account. Their goal is to steal people's personal and financial data.

What to do if you accidentally click on the link?
If you have accidentally downloaded such an APK file, immediately uninstall the app, turn off your phone's internet connection, run a mobile security scan, and change the passwords of your WhatsApp, email, and banking apps from another device. Also, inform your bank immediately and monitor your transactions. Additionally, file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in or call the 1930 helpline.

Note that you don't need to download any app to see New Year wishes. Never download any APK file received on WhatsApp, even if it comes from someone you know.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Navbharat Times. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.