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WeChat is one of the biggest platforms on the Internet and has more than a billion active users. Hence, it is highly likely that there will be scammers on the website, too. Actually, there are a lot of scammers on the website who will pretend they are familiar with you.
Not only will these scammers send you personalized messages from time to time, but they will also chat with you overpoweringly. Hence, they will make you a victim of online scams.
In this article, you will learn about WeChat scams in general. Here, not only will you learn about the different types of WeChat scams, but you will also learn how to deal with each of these scams. Furthermore, this article also offers examples of the most common scams on the WeChat platform. Hence, to learn more about these scams, read on to the end of the article.
What are WeChat Scams? – A Brief Overview
WeChat is not just a messaging app; it is also one of the biggest social media platforms. Apart from that, the application also comes with a variety of functions and services in the form of applets. Hence, it is highly likely that there will be a number of scammers on the platform, given the size and scale of the application.
Furthermore, due to mobile payment systems and financial services in the platform, many scammers try to find faults in the platform.
However, in general, the WeChat platform is safe and one of the most used applications in China. Apart from that, many people outside China use the app on a daily basis. The mother company, Tencent, has taken a plethora of security measures in the platform to protect user data and keep the platform out of cyber criminals.
To ensure optimum security in the platform, Tencent incorporated various security measures like message encryption, two-factor authentication, and regular security updates. However, there are still potential risks on the platform. Hence, you need to understand those risks. As a result, you will be able to take the necessary steps to enable optimum safety and security while running the WeChat app.
Also, if you want to avoid scammers on the WeChat platform, you need to make sure that you are cautious when you receive messages and notifications from strangers. Apart from that, you must also not share your personal and financial information with unfamiliar individuals on the app. Furthermore, even if you encounter suspicious messages or activities on your account, you must make sure that you report it to WeChat’s customer service.
What are the Most Common Types of WeChat Scams?
WeChat explains on its safety portal, “A scam is a scheme generally involving money and some sort of business transaction, and is intended to manipulate or trick others into giving away their personal details, financial details, or money (whether successful or not). A scam may become fraud when the scammer (or individuals other than the victim) obtains money, property or other benefits through deception.”
Like any popular social media and messaging app, there are many scammers and fraudsters on WeChat. These entities target those users who are not careful and are unsuspecting of scammers. Here, the scams mostly range from romance scams to fake investment opportunities.
There are different types of WeChat scammers who will pretend to be familiar with you, or else some of them will try to be friends with you. In such cases, these scammers will send you friendly messages from time to time. Apart from that, these scammers will also tell you to invest in certain short-term investment options. Although it might seem very profitable to you, actually, they are all a trap.
Mostly, these scammers will talk to you with sweet behavior at the start and then will allow you to follow orders so that they can make you feel that you are earning money. As a result, investing a huge chunk of money might lead to a loss. Furthermore, with most of these scammers, the withdrawal fees are really high. Hence, if someone guides you on platforms other than the top ones, you need to be extremely careful.
WeChat Scams 1: “Get Rich Quick” Scams
These WeChat scams mostly come in four different types:
1. Order Farming
Here, scammers offer fake shopping discounts. In such cases, scammers will ask you to purchase products from websites to get attractive discounts on products. You might not get any rebate, or you might not get the product itself.
The best way to stay out of such scams is to avoid entertaining messages from strangers. Apart from that, do not share your personal information at all.
2. Investment and Wealth Management
These schemes enable people to invest in fake opportunities and wealth management plans. Actually, the victims end up suffering heavy financial losses. Here, too, the best way to avoid social media scams is not to accept requests from strangers. Furthermore, do not trust anyone in your chat groups to offer you high rebates, and do not make decisions hastily.
3. Job Opportunities
Job opportunity scams offer unrealistic job opportunities to people. Here, the aim of the scammers is to collect fees and personal information from job seekers. In such cases, the scammers will ask you to make advance payments or will ask you to offer personal information.
The best way to avoid these scams is not to believe the information that these contacts post on the platform and in groups. Always remember that real employers never ask for advance payments from job applicants.
4. Free Gifts and Special Offers
These scammers claim to offer you free goods and services in return for your personal information. Furthermore, they also request you for extra fees. Here, remember that the cost of your personal information is way more than any free gift.
Here, the WeChat Safety portal recommends – “Check the terms and conditions of the free gifts carefully to see if they contain any hidden charges or traps. Don’t provide anyone with your sensitive personal information unless you can trust the source of the free services.”
WeChat Scams 2: Romance Scams
The following are the major WeChat Romance Scams that you will find common on the platform:
1. Dating Scams
In such cases, scammers use romantic attraction features to get access to personal information or finances. They do this in exchange for emotional promises and dates. Here, the scammers seem to have strong interests in their targets, and they use words in such a way that they create a romantic atmosphere. Hence, the best option is to not accept friend requests from people you do not know outside the WeChat platform.
2. Friendship Scams
Just like Dating Scams, here the scammers pretend to have a lot of interest in the target victim. They generally seem too interested in making new friends with you. Hence, once they gain your trust, they will use all sorts of methods to get your personal information and money from you. In such cases, there can also be blackmailing and threats involved.
WeChat Scams 3: Impersonation Scams
Here are a few Impersonation scams that are common on WeChat:
1. Imitating Government
Sometimes, scammers claim to be from a government department or a high-level official. Here, they claim that your name is involved in tax fraud, money laundering, etc. Hence, they give you false information and instructions that you give away your personal information to transfer funds and make payments.
In such cases, you need to stay vigilant and claim and not offer your information to them. Also, do not believe in their photos and videos.
2. High-Level Impersonation
This is quite common as scammers impersonate high-level officials from banks and top organizations. Here, they use fake profile pictures to demand money and bank account details from you. Once you give away your details, they will take away a large sum of money from your bank. Here, too, you need to stay alert and not give away your personal information casually.
3. Impersonating Customer Services
Many scammers pretend to be from customer services and tech support and claim to be resolving an issue that you have. However, all they are here for is your personal information and password. Hence, you need to stay calm and not casually give away your personal information to them.
Another Common WeChat Scams: Account Takeover
Scammers try to get the entire information of another person’s account and password and then use the account for illegal purposes. This is a common practice among cyber criminals. Furthermore, they steal your personal information, spread malicious software, and pose as a victim.
The best way forward is to ensure the security of the platform by using a strong password and performing 2-step verification. Here, if you see any suspicious activity on your account, make sure you report the same to the WeChat customer service. They will take the necessary steps to deal with such a problem.
Wrapping Up
Hope this article was helpful for you to learn essentials about common WeChat scams and how to deal with them. Make sure you are aware of the aforementioned scams and how scammers operate. The best way to prevent scammers is to not connect with strangers and ensure that your account is secure by taking all the necessary security measures.
Do you have more suggestions on how to deal with WeChat scams? Consider sharing your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.
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Soumava Goswami
A passionate writer and an avid reader, Soumava is academically inclined and loves writing on topics requiring deep research. Having 3+ years of experience, Soumava also loves writing blogs in other domains, including digital marketing, business, technology, travel, and sports.
