WhatsApp and Telegram Scams — How Seniors Get Targeted

"Hi Mum, I dropped my phone in the toilet. This is my new number. Can you save it?"

That message has cost families thousands of dollars. It lands on your WhatsApp out of nowhere, from a number you do not recognize. But the person claims to be your son or daughter. They say they need money urgently. Maybe for rent. Maybe for a broken laptop. And because it sounds like something your child would say, you want to help.

This is the "Hi Mum" scam, and it is one of the fastest-growing WhatsApp scams in the world. But it is far from the only one.

If you use messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram to stay in touch with family and friends, this guide is for you. We will walk through the most common scams on these platforms, the warning signs to watch for, and exactly how to protect yourself.

Already comfortable with WhatsApp? Great. If you are still getting started, our guide on how to use WhatsApp for beginners covers the basics.

Why Messaging Apps Are a Scammer Paradise

You might wonder why scammers love WhatsApp and Telegram so much. There are a few reasons.

First, these apps use end-to-end encryption. That is normally a good thing because it keeps your conversations private. But it also means the platforms themselves cannot easily monitor what scammers are sending. The privacy that protects you also protects them.

Second, it is incredibly easy to create a fake account. All someone needs is a phone number, and cheap prepaid numbers are available everywhere. Scammers can create dozens of whatsapp scam numbers in a single afternoon and start messaging people right away.

Third, messaging feels personal. When a text arrives on your phone, it feels like a one-on-one conversation. You are more likely to trust it than a random email or a pop-up on a website. Scammers know this and use it to their advantage.

The 5 Most Common WhatsApp Scams

Let us look at the specific whatsapp fraud tactics that target seniors most often.

1. The "Hi Mum/Dad" Impersonation Scam

This is the one we opened with, and it remains the most common whatsapp scam worldwide. A message arrives from an unknown number. The person claims to be your child, grandchild, or another close relative. They say they lost their phone or got a new number.

After a bit of small talk to build trust, they ask for money. Usually through a bank transfer. The amounts can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

How to beat it: Always call your real family member on their known number before sending any money. If they truly lost their phone, they can still answer through another device or call you back.

2. The Verification Code Scam

Here is how this one works. You receive a legitimate WhatsApp verification code via text message, even though you did not request one. Then someone messages you (or calls you) and says they accidentally sent their code to your number. They ask you to forward it to them.

What is really happening? They are trying to take over your WhatsApp account. That code is actually for your account, and sharing it gives them full access. This is a classic whatsapp phishing technique.

How to beat it: Never share verification codes with anyone. WhatsApp will never ask you to share a code. No legitimate person needs your code either.

3. Fake Prize and Lottery Messages

"Congratulations! You have won a $5,000 WhatsApp gift card. Click here to claim your prize."

These messages look exciting. Some even include official-looking logos and reference well-known companies like Amazon, Walmart, or WhatsApp itself. But there is no prize. Clicking the link either installs malicious software on your phone or takes you to a fake website that asks for your personal and financial information.

How to beat it: You cannot win a contest you never entered. Delete these messages immediately.

4. The WhatsApp Gold or Premium Version Scam

A message circulates claiming you can upgrade to "WhatsApp Gold" or "WhatsApp Premium" with special features like video calling with more people, new colors, or hidden features. The message includes a download link.

There is no such thing as WhatsApp Gold. The link installs malware on your device that can steal your personal information, passwords, and banking details.

How to beat it: WhatsApp only updates through your phone's official app store (Google Play or Apple App Store). Never download WhatsApp from any other source.

5. Investment Group Scams

You get added to a WhatsApp group without your permission. The group is full of people talking about amazing investment returns. Screenshots show huge profits. A "mentor" or "advisor" in the group encourages everyone to invest.

It is all fake. The other people in the group are either scammers themselves or bots. The profits are fabricated. Once you send money, it disappears.

How to beat it: Leave any group you did not choose to join. No legitimate investment opportunity starts with a random WhatsApp group invitation.

The 4 Most Common Telegram Scams

Telegram scams work a bit differently because the platform has public channels and groups that anyone can join. This creates extra opportunities for fraud.

1. Fake Crypto and Investment Channels

Telegram is popular in the cryptocurrency world, and scammers exploit this. They create channels that mimic legitimate investment firms or crypto projects. These channels post fake trading signals, promise guaranteed returns, and pressure members to deposit money quickly.

Some even appear on a telegram scammer list only after they have already stolen from hundreds of people. By then, the scammers have moved on to a new channel under a new name.

How to beat it: Never invest money based on advice from a Telegram channel. If an investment promises guaranteed returns, it is a scam. Full stop.

2. Impersonation of Customer Support

A scammer creates a Telegram account with a name and photo that matches a real company. They might pretend to be from your bank, a tech company, or even Telegram itself. They reach out claiming there is a problem with your account and ask for login credentials or payment information to "fix" it.

How to beat it: Real companies will never contact you on Telegram asking for passwords or payment details. If you receive such a message, contact the company directly through their official website.

3. Romance Scams on Telegram

This one is particularly cruel. Someone reaches out and starts a friendly conversation. Over days or weeks, the relationship deepens. They share personal stories. They seem genuinely interested in your life. Eventually, they ask for money, often citing an emergency like a medical bill or travel costs to come visit you.

We have a detailed guide on romance scams targeting seniors that covers this topic in depth. The tactics are the same whether they start on Telegram, WhatsApp, or a dating site.

How to beat it: Be very cautious about anyone you have never met in person who asks for money, no matter how strong the connection feels.

4. Job Offer Scams

These telegram scams target people looking for extra income, including retirees. The job sounds simple. "Like videos for $50 a day" or "review products from home." You may even receive a small initial payment to build trust.

But then you are asked to invest your own money to "unlock" higher-paying tasks. Or you are asked to share banking information for "direct deposit." Either way, you lose money or compromise your financial information.

How to beat it: Legitimate employers do not ask you to pay money to start working. If a job offer sounds too easy and too profitable, it probably is not real.

Instagram Scams Targeting Seniors

Social media scams are not limited to messaging apps. Instagram scams have also surged in recent years, and seniors are frequent targets.

The most common instagram scams include fake giveaways where you must "click the link in bio" and enter personal information to claim a prize. There are also "Is this you in this video?" messages that contain malicious links designed to steal your login credentials.

Investment scams thrive on Instagram too. Scammers hack real accounts or create convincing fake profiles, then post stories showing luxury lifestyles funded by their "investment strategy." They invite followers to message them to learn more.

The rule is the same across every platform. If something feels too good to be true, it is.

7 Warning Signs That Work Across All Platforms

Whether a suspicious message arrives on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, or anywhere else, these red flags apply universally.

1. The message comes from an unknown number or account. Be cautious with any message from someone you do not recognize, especially if they claim to know you.

2. There is extreme urgency. "You must act now." "Send money today or I will be evicted." Scammers create panic so you do not have time to think clearly.

3. Someone asks you to send money. Especially through bank transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. These payment methods are nearly impossible to reverse.

4. The message contains suspicious links. Do not tap on links from unknown senders. Even links from known contacts can be dangerous if their account has been hacked.

5. An offer sounds too good to be true. Free money, guaranteed investment returns, easy work-from-home jobs paying hundreds per day. These are almost always scams.

6. Someone asks you to share verification codes. No legitimate service or person will ever need a code that was sent to your phone.

7. A person claims to be family but will not call you. If your "son" or "daughter" has a new number but refuses to speak on the phone, that is a major red flag.

If you receive suspicious emails as well, our guide on how to spot scam emails covers the email-specific warning signs.

How to Protect Yourself

The good news is that a few simple steps dramatically reduce your risk. Here is what to do today.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). On WhatsApp, go to Settings, then Account, then Two-Step Verification, and set a six-digit PIN. On Telegram, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Two-Step Verification. This extra layer of security makes it much harder for someone to hijack your account.

Verify identity by calling. If someone messages you claiming to be a family member or friend, call them on the number you already have saved. A quick phone call can save you thousands.

Never share verification codes. This cannot be stressed enough. Those codes are the keys to your account. Treat them like your house keys.

Adjust your privacy settings. On WhatsApp, you can control who can add you to groups (Settings, then Privacy, then Groups). Set it to "My Contacts" so strangers cannot add you to scam groups. On Telegram, limit who can see your phone number and who can message you.

Keep your apps updated. App updates often include security fixes. Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp and Telegram installed from your official app store.

For a broader view of phone-based fraud, our guide on phone scams targeting seniors covers voice call scams and other tactics that often work alongside messaging app scams.

How to Report Scams on Each Platform

If you encounter a scam, reporting it helps protect others. Here is how to report on each platform.

WhatsApp: Open the chat with the scammer. Tap on their name at the top of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Report Contact." You can also block them from the same menu.

Telegram: Open the chat. Tap the three dots in the top right corner. Select "Report." Choose the appropriate reason, such as spam or scam. You can also forward suspicious messages to @notoscam on Telegram.

Instagram: Go to the scam account's profile. Tap the three dots in the top right corner. Select "Report" and follow the prompts.

In the United States, you can also report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. In the United Kingdom, report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk. Filing these reports helps authorities track scam patterns and warn others.

Stay Connected, Stay Safe

Messaging apps are wonderful tools for staying close to the people you love. They make it easy to share photos, have video calls, and send quick updates throughout the day. None of that has to change.

But just like you lock your front door when you leave the house, you need to lock down your messaging apps too. Know the common scams. Watch for the warning signs. Verify before you trust. And when something feels wrong, trust that feeling.

The scammers are counting on you to act fast and not ask questions. The best thing you can do is slow down, take a breath, and verify. That one pause could save you from losing money, your personal information, or your peace of mind.

You are smarter than the scammers think. Now you know their playbook too.