Beware of the new WhatsApp scam that promises FREE internet!

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Scammers never take a day off. And how do we know this? Well, they keep coming up with news ways and means to trick us. A fresh WhatsApp scam is running about and is tricking users with the promise of free Internet.

Some WhatsApp users have reported having received a message where the sender is promising free Internet service without using any Wi-Fi network. The message reads like this…

“You can already get Internet Free Without WI-FI with WhatsApp and it is by means of invitations, here I give you an invitation! > download link”

Besides being poorly written, this message is complete nonsense from a technical point of view. Without Wi-Fi, the only way you can access the Internet is through an active cellular data service (2G/3G/4G) – which is not free, unless you are using a special pack. But however nonsensical it may sound, this WhatsApp scam can manage to trick some people who might not give much thought to it.

What happens when you click on the link?
Clicking on the link displays a page where you must share the invitation to 13 friends to be able to use the free Internet. The page also flaunts comments from different users who have tried this service. All these users and comments are fake and just one more bait to push you further into the trap.

What happens when you share the invitation?
Once you have shared the ‘fake’ invitation, you will be taken to other fraudulent web pages where you might be subscribed to costly SMS services without your consent or a potentially dangerous third-party app will be downloaded on your phone.

And what’s the bottom line?
You will never get the free Internet service because it didn’t exist to start with.

Tips to avoid falling for such WhatsApp scams

  • If any app is offering you a service for free or at a low cost, ensure you verify it by visiting the app’s official website, before acting upon it.
  • Never click on links received from unknown users, especially when the message talks about free offers.
  • Install a reliable mobile antivirus app that can prevent you from reaching fraudulent or dangerous websites, and block the download of malicious apps.

If you think you might have clicked on links which are a part of such similar scams, run an antivirus app and it should clean your mobile device.

If you find this story helpful, share it with your friends.

 

Source:
www.welivesecurity.com
www.tomsguide.com

Rajiv Singha

Rajiv Singha


30 Comments

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  1. thanks

    Reply
  2. Thank you quick heal.
    I don’t receive messages yet.

    Reply
  3. Avatar mangi marwadiJanuary 17, 2017 at 4:24 PM

    Nice

    Reply
  4. Thanks Rajib.

    Reply
  5. super, thank you very much….

    Reply
  6. Avatar Arunesh KarmakarJanuary 18, 2017 at 7:54 PM

    Good ,It seems that you’re most probably Correct.
    Kindly,’Post’ in ‘LinkedIn’,your advise, ‘How much & that to the possibility–of your ‘Alert’ in case the ‘Quick Heel’ ‘Total Security’ ‘User’ like me & other ‘Users’,–who uses this ‘This’ ‘Quick Heel Total Security’ — and please ‘ESTABLISH’ your ‘Point of View’,– as fast as possible. Thank you very much.
    Waiting for reply.—- ARUNESH KARMAKAR , P.O:–BOLPUR–Santiniketan, Dist:– BIRBHUM. West Bengal, PIN/ZIP:– 731204. Email ID:– aruneshkrmakar@yahoo.com

    Reply
  7. Avatar Masoom RezaJanuary 19, 2017 at 4:12 PM

    I kNOW THIS ANTIVIROUS IS SO GOOD BT IT TAKES LOTS OF TIME TO UPDATE AND AFTER FEW DAYS IT BECOME SLOW AND PC WILL BE NOT WORK IN PROPER WAY……..

    Reply
  8. Avatar mahendra prasadJanuary 20, 2017 at 1:53 PM

    Are you sure

    Reply
  9. Avatar AHSAN HABIBJanuary 21, 2017 at 8:59 AM

    VERY GOOD

    Reply
  10. Avatar Vishal kumarJanuary 21, 2017 at 12:49 PM

    Quick heal nice products and services

    Reply
  11. Great article, thanks for the info

    Reply
  12. Avatar pravin guptaJanuary 21, 2017 at 7:22 PM

    nice

    Reply
  13. Avatar Niranjan SinghJanuary 21, 2017 at 8:44 PM

    This message is very important for me.
    Thanks Quickheal.

    Reply
  14. Avatar Vikash kumarJanuary 21, 2017 at 9:02 PM

    this very good for me

    Reply
  15. Avatar Dr Madhu Sudan GoelJanuary 22, 2017 at 10:28 AM

    other similar messages are also coming like install romantic emocon on WhatsApp, free 1000 Rs on PayTm etc

    Reply
  16. quick heal is the best app

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  17. nothing’s impossible

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  18. Avatar bipin beheraJanuary 23, 2017 at 3:26 PM

    GOOD

    Reply
  19. Avatar vishal kumarJanuary 24, 2017 at 8:38 PM

    thanks

    Reply
  20. Avatar soundarapandiyanJanuary 24, 2017 at 10:01 PM

    THIS IS VERY GOOD ONE

    Reply
  21. Avatar Surya Narayan DasJanuary 24, 2017 at 11:39 PM

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  22. Avatar Surya Narayan DasJanuary 28, 2017 at 10:03 PM

    Facing Distrube anesesary Apps in comings at the work Screen how to cheack.i am surya . Thank,s

    Reply
  23. Nice

    Reply
  24. Very nice

    Reply