Beware! New WhatsApp Scam Uses Images To Hack Phones And Steal Money

In today’s world, where digital communication is deeply woven into our daily lives, cybercrime has evolved rapidly. WhatsApp, one of the most widely used messaging platforms globally, has become a prime target for scammers. Among the most dangerous threats emerging this year is the WhatsApp image scam, a stealthy new attack method that embeds harmful software within innocent-looking images.

Unlike common phishing or OTP-based scams, this new technique involves steganography — a method once reserved for secret communication — to hide malware within image files. This malware activates when the image is opened, allowing hackers to gain control of the victim’s phone without their knowledge. Once infected, the malware can steal sensitive data such as banking credentials, saved passwords, and one-time passwords (OTPs), and can even conduct unauthorised financial transactions.

This scam hit headlines recently following a case in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, where a man unknowingly downloaded a compromised image and lost nearly ₹2 lakh from his bank account. Authorities later confirmed that malware had entered his device through the image, bypassing typical phone security.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has since issued a public warning urging citizens to avoid downloading any media from unknown WhatsApp numbers. Cybersecurity experts have described this image-based method as “significantly more dangerous than traditional scams because it leaves fewer visible signs, making detection and prevention harder.”

How to stay safe from the WhatsApp image scam:

• Avoid downloading media from unknown or suspicious numbers, even if they appear harmless.
• Enable two-factor authentication on WhatsApp and all banking apps.
• Keep your phone’s software and apps updated to ensure the latest security patches are in place.
• Install a reliable antivirus app to detect and block malicious files.
• Report suspicious messages to WhatsApp and block unknown senders immediately.

WhatsApp is expected to introduce advanced scanning tools in future updates, but until then, users are urged to stay alert and cautious. A single image could be all it takes to compromise your entire digital life.