FIA Warns of Rising WhatsApp Account Hacks in Pakistan

Islamabad: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued a warning about the increasing number of WhatsApp account hacks across Pakistan, where fraudsters are targeting individuals by impersonating friends or family members. Victims are often contacted via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, with the scammer asking for money, promising quick repayment.
Recently, former judge Wajihuddin Ahmed also fell victim to such a scam when his WhatsApp account was hacked, and a demand for money was sent out to his contacts. Upon investigation, it was discovered that his account had been compromised. In another case, a Pakistani citizen who had traveled to Europe found that several fake Facebook accounts had been created in his name, and money was being solicited from his relatives. When the family contacted the individual, they learned that he had not used Facebook in months.
The FIA has also noticed a surge in posts on social media, where users are warning others about compromised accounts and advising them not to respond to any requests for money. Fraudsters have now begun using the names of official organizations, such as the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), and Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), to scam people by requesting verification codes under the guise of confirming educational credentials.
The FIA has strongly advised the public not to share any verification codes with anyone, especially those claiming to be from these institutions. They also urge people to activate two-factor authentication on their WhatsApp accounts as a security measure.
In light of these rising incidents, the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing has called on people to report suspicious messages or calls immediately to prevent further fraud.