WhatsApp Account Takeover Scam Surges in Italy: Fraudsters Impersonate Friends to Demand Money

An "account takeover" scam is rapidly spreading across Italy. A woman from Sesto Pusteria lost €760 after receiving a money request on WhatsApp from her friend's account. The friend later discovered her account had been hacked and reported that the fraudster had contacted other acquaintances while impersonating her.

How the Scam Works

This fraud, known as "account takeover," is rapidly spreading across Italy. Fraudsters gain unauthorized access to WhatsApp accounts, impersonate the legitimate user, and contact people in their contact list requesting money transfers.

Real Case Example

A woman from Sesto Pusteria received a money request message on WhatsApp from her friend's account in Rome. Acting in good faith to help her friend, she transferred €760 to the IBAN provided in the message. However, the friend later discovered she could not access her own account and found that the fraudster had contacted multiple other people while pretending to be her. She filed a report with the local Carabinieri station in Rome.

Warning Signs and How to Identify the Scam

A friend suddenly requests money via message with urgent or unclear reasoning
The communication style, tone, or language differs noticeably from the friend's usual pattern
Money is demanded through unusual methods such as direct bank transfers or gift cards
The friend does not mention this request through other communication channels (phone calls, etc.)

Prevention Tips

Verify directly: If you receive a money request message, always contact the friend through another method (phone call) before sending any money. Fraudsters prefer communication channels where identity verification is difficult
Protect your account: Change your WhatsApp password regularly and enable two-factor authentication
Double-check before sending: Before transferring any funds, verify directly with the person requesting the money, regardless of the stated reason
Report suspicious activity: If you receive suspicious messages or suspect your account has been compromised, report it immediately to WhatsApp support and local authorities

Where to Report

Contact local law enforcement (Carabinieri) immediately
Report the issue to WhatsApp official support for account security information
File a complaint with your local consumer protection agency