PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
Cyber criminals are targeting children through fake social media profiles created in the names of popular influencers and content creators, using gift offers to gain access to their WhatsApp accounts, according to a cyber awareness advisory. The warning highlights the need for parents to monitor children’s online activity and avoid unknown call-forwarding codes.
According to the cyber experts, children are first shown fake offers of expensive gifts, such as an iPhone. The criminals then ask them to keep the offer secret and delete their chats so that their parents do not become suspicious.
The child is later asked to dial codes such as *21 or 401 followed by a number. These codes can activate call forwarding on the phone. The criminals may then use the forwarded calls to obtain WhatsApp verification codes and take control of the account.
After gaining access to WhatsApp, the criminals can contact the victim’s relatives and friends and attempt to cheat them by making false requests for money.
The Special Task Force senior superintendent of police Ajai Singh advised people not to dial unknown codes at the request of anyone online. Users should also keep WhatsApp’s two-step verification enabled and use a six-digit PIN.
He advised parents to supervise social media use by young children and keep parental controls active.
