WhatsApp Christmas Scam: It's not Santa, but 'cyber fraudsters' knocking on your door, and they're emptying your bank accounts..

Amidst the festive cheer of Christmas 2025, caution is necessary, as cybercriminals have also become active. Scammers have started defrauding people in the name of greetings, freebies, and surprise gift offers. Cyber ​​fraudsters are now taking advantage of the Christmas season to lure users by sending dangerous links. If someone falls for these tempting offers, a single mistake can empty their bank account and ruin their festive mood.

Cyber ​​police say this scam is spreading rapidly through WhatsApp forwards and often appears to come from friends, family members, or trusted contacts whose accounts have already been hacked.

How does the Christmas Scam work?
The scam usually begins with festive messages like "Merry Christmas! You've received a gift" or "A Christmas bonus awaits you." The message contains a short or hidden link that claims to offer cashback, gift vouchers, shopping coupons, or cash rewards.

Once the link is opened, users are redirected to a fake website that resembles a well-known brand, bank, or payment platform. They are then asked to enter their mobile number, personal details, and banking information, or to install an app or grant permissions. Clicking on the link installs malware, giving the fraudsters remote access to the phone, allowing them to read OTPs, access banking apps, and make unauthorized transactions.

How to protect yourself from WhatsApp Scams?
It is advised never to click on unknown or suspicious links.
Think twice before opening any festive offer or gift link.
Avoid entering banking details, CVV numbers, or OTPs on any unknown site.
Keep WhatsApp two-step verification enabled.

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