• Happy New Year can be expensive!


• Beware of ‘this’ message


• Otherwise empty bank account with one click

New Year Wish Fraud Scam News: On the occasion of New Year and other festivals, WhatsApp And the flow of wishes on Telegram increases. Everyone is busy sending greetings to friends and family. However, cybercriminals also take advantage of this excitement. At this time, Happy New Year Fake messages and links are being sent under names. In a seemingly simple greeting, one click can put your phone and personal information at risk.

How fake new year messages can fool you?

According to cyber experts, scam messages are usually written in several words. They contain messages such as “Click here for your personalized New Year’s card,” “Open your gift now,” or “A special treat for you.” These messages often appear to be forwarded and sometimes appear to come from family groups or familiar contacts, thus misleading the user.

Trouble starts as soon as the user clicks on the link

As soon as the user clicks on such a link, they are prompted to download the APK or file. Once installed, this file runs in the background of your phone and gradually gains access to your data. It can steal banking apps, OTP, photos, contact list and other sensitive information. In many cases, hackers take over your WhatsApp account and send the same scam link to your contacts.

Detect scam messages in 5 seconds

If you are a little vigilant, you can spot a fake new year message within seconds. The first sign is an unfamiliar or suspicious link. Second, messages contain urgent words such as “Claim Now” or “Limited Time Offer”. Third, poor language or incorrect grammar, which are not usually found in genuine greeting messages. Fourth, a QR code, download prompt or attachment that directly asks for app installation. Moreover, if it asks for bank details, OTP or UPI PIN, it is a clear sign of fraud.

A clear warning from the cyber police

On the occasion of New Year, cyber police units across the country have issued an alert regarding such scams. The Hyderabad Cyber ​​Crime Unit reports that fraudsters trick people into downloading APK files, which then install malware on their phones, in the name of wishing them a happy New Year. Through this, criminals steal bank details, OTPs, photos and personal data and sometimes even hijack WhatsApp accounts, further increasing the spread of scams.

Keep yourself safe

Cybersecurity experts advise against clicking on links in any New Year messages. Avoid installing unknown APKs or attachments and only download apps from Google Play Store or App Store. Always enable two-step verification on WhatsApp and other platforms. If a message looks suspicious, report it immediately and block it. Above all, do not forward such messages, as this is a major reason for the spread of scams.