WhatsApp and Messaging App Scams: How to Recognise Fraud
Updated 26 January 2026
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Check It Now →WhatsApp scams have exploded in Australia. The "Hi Mum" scam alone cost Australians over $7 million in a single year. These scammers are clever, persistent, and increasingly sophisticated.
Quick Verdict
What it usually is: Impersonation scams asking for urgent money transfers, or investment scams promising unrealistic returns.
Who gets targeted: Parents and grandparents (Hi Mum scams), anyone interested in making money (crypto scams).
Red Flags to Look For
- "Hi Mum/Dad, I've got a new number" — The classic opener. Real kids would just tell you, not ask for money immediately.
- Urgency + money request — "I need $2000 by tonight or I'll be evicted/stranded/arrested"
- Can't talk on phone — "My phone is broken, can only text"
- Asks for PayID or bank transfer — Not Beem, not their usual account
- Added to random crypto groups — "VIP Investment Signals" with screenshots of huge profits
- Romance that moves fast — Met on a dating app, now on WhatsApp, and suddenly needs money
- Profile photo doesn't match — Right-click and search by image on Google
Realistic Examples
The "Hi Mum" Scam
"Hi mum, I dropped my phone in the toilet and this is my new number. Can you save it? I need a favour - my banking app won't work until the new SIM arrives. Can you pay my electricity bill? I'll pay you back Thursday. Here's the details..."
Reality: It's not your child. The "bill" is a scammer's bank account. Call your actual child on their old number to verify.
The Crypto Investment Group
You're added to "Binance VIP Signals" with 200 members sharing screenshots of 500% gains. An "analyst" DMs you offering to help you get started with a "guaranteed" method.
Reality: Fake screenshots, fake members, fake profits. They'll get you to deposit on a fake exchange, show fake gains, then steal it all when you try to withdraw.
The Job Offer
"Hi! I'm from Amazon HR. We saw your resume on Seek. We have a work-from-home position, $45/hour. Just complete some simple training tasks. Add me on WhatsApp to start."
Reality: There's no job. You'll be asked to pay for "training" or "equipment" that never arrives.
What to Do Next
- Call them on their old number — If someone claims to be family, verify with a phone call to their known number.
- Ask a question only they'd know — "What did we have for dinner last Sunday?" Scammers can't answer.
- Never send money to new account details — Verify any payment request through another channel.
- Leave random groups immediately — Being in crypto groups makes you a target.
- Block and report — In WhatsApp: tap the number > Report > Block.
If You Already Sent Money
- Contact your bank immediately — They may be able to stop or reverse the transfer.
- Report to ReportCyber — cyber.gov.au
- Report to Scamwatch — scamwatch.gov.au
- Don't send more — Scammers often claim the first transfer "didn't work" to get more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did scammers get my number?
Data breaches, social media (if your profile is public), or random generation. WhatsApp numbers are just phone numbers.
Can I get my money back?
Sometimes, if you act within minutes. Bank transfers are harder to recover than credit card payments. Contact your bank immediately.
Should I engage with them to waste their time?
That's up to you, but generally no. It keeps your number flagged as "active" and can lead to more attempts. Block and move on.
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