A new scam known as Ghost Pairing is spreading on WhatsApp, alarming users and drawing attention from law enforcement officials. This method, utilized by cybercriminals, allows them to gain control of victims' WhatsApp accounts without needing to steal passwords or clone SIM cards. Instead, they exploit the 'Linked Devices' feature of the app, making it easier to bypass traditional security measures. Reports indicate that numerous individuals have already fallen victim to this scheme, prompting investigations by authorities.

The Ghost Pairing scam typically begins with an innocuous message from a trusted contact, prompting the recipient to click on a link. Messages may include phrases like, "Hey, I found a picture of you here!" or "Hi! Would you mind voting for my niece? She's very close to winning." These messages appear harmless, but the embedded links can lead to malicious sites that facilitate the take-over of the user's account. Since these messages originate from known contacts, many victims mistakenly trust the request and are easily manipulated into clicking the links.

As the scam continues to proliferate, it raises significant concerns regarding data privacy and the effectiveness of security measures on popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp. It highlights the need for users to be vigilant and cautious when receiving unexpected requests, even from familiar contacts. Cybersecurity experts and law enforcement agencies are urging individuals to stay informed about such scams to prevent falling victim to them and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.