There have been reports of a new and strange scam that targets WhatsApp users.
Scams on WhatsApp are becoming more common and more complicated. With the world's most popular messaging app, scams are no longer limited to deceptive messages or impersonating well-known figures or companies; they now extend to popular features like beta versions. These scams exploit users' eagerness to be among the first to get new features.
The latest warning on this topic comes from WaBetaInfo, a website specializing in covering the latest WhatsApp updates for Android and iOS. The site alerted users via its Twitter account (X) to a new type of scam specifically targeting iPhone users.
● If someone asks you to pay money for a trial version of WhatsApp, this is a scam.
According to the post, fake accounts are impersonating WhatsApp, mimicking the name, logo, and even the design of official accounts to appear legitimate. These accounts claim to be able to grant users access to the beta version of WhatsApp on iOS using TestFlight, the official tool for testing apps before their release.
Scammers exploit this sense of urgency, claiming that places are limited or the opportunity is only available for a short time, prompting users to pay without hesitation, falsely promising access to exclusive features. The aforementioned media outlet confirms that requesting money to join a trial program is a scam, no matter how convincing or legitimate the accounts or messages may seem.
The problem lies in their demand for payment for this access, which is crucial, as the WhatsApp beta program is completely free. In recent months, the social network has announced new features allowing more people access to this type of program, but this access is entirely free and announced through official channels.
They recommend not making payments, not trusting unverified accounts, reporting any suspicious profiles, and always verifying information from official sources before attempting to access these types of programs.