LAHORE – As people are excited to welcome New Year, excitement fills the air with fireworks, celebrations, but, unfortunately, cybercriminals are lurking online.
Amid surge in these scams, National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) issued chilling warning, saying cybercriminals are ramping up attacks, targeting unsuspecting users with fake links, messages, and “gift offers” designed to steal personal and financial information.
The agency revealed that fraudsters are circulating bogus messages promising rewards, hoping to exploit people during festive season when online activity skyrockets. Clicking on suspicious links or sharing private information online could lead to serious financial loss or identity theft, the NCCIA cautioned.
Adding to the concern, the agency highlighted a surge in WhatsApp account takeovers. Users who suspect their accounts have been hacked are advised to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, then re-register with their phone number. A six-digit verification code sent via SMS will instantly log out hackers, as WhatsApp allows only one active session per account.
However, if hackers have enabled two-step verification, users may need to wait up to seven days to regain full access, but the agency assures that messages remain secure and inaccessible to unauthorized parties during this period.
Officials are urging everyone to stay vigilant, follow cybersecurity guidelines, and report suspicious online activity to protect themselves from online fraud and identity theft this New Year.
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