Stay alert! You can now get scammed by clicking on a WhatsApp greeting this New Year
2026 is here, and people all around the world are set to celebrate the new beginnings. Amidst this happy occasion, cybercriminals have found a new way to scam people online.
Reportedly, there is a New Year WhatsApp scam currently going on, where users are receiving an image or file that downloads as an .apk or.XAPK (for example, Happy_New_Year.apk). Clicking on such a suspicious file or image can install malware on your device, steal data (including OTPs), and access bank apps.
It is also revealed that such messages may come from your trusted contacts as well, because there is a possibility that their account has been hacked.
This could compromise your privacy and give cybercriminals control of your device. To avoid falling into this trap, users are advised to:
- Avoid clicking on unknown links
- Never install APK/XAPK files from WhatsApp
- Block & report the contact from which you have received such a message
Such scam messages are very common during festive periods; the public is urged to remain cautious and alert.
Stay tuned with The Tech Outlook for the latest tech updates.
Via.
