Fake relative on WhatsApp scam : fonctionnement, signaux et que faire
Social engineering · médio
The scammer messages from an unknown number using a photo of a child, nephew or friend (copied from social media): "Hi, I changed my number, save this one".
After a short chat comes the request: pay an urgent bill or make a transfer because "my banking app is locked on the new phone". The receiving account belongs to someone else, with a ready excuse.
Variants include a fake boss asking you to pay a supplier, and AI-generated voice notes that mimic the relative's voice.
Sinais / Signs
- New number with a familiar person's photo.
- Request for money within the first few messages.
- Receiving account in a third party's name.
- Refusal to video call or talk on the old number.
- Writing style or phrasing unlike the real person.
Prevenção / Prevention
- Call the person's old number or another relative before paying anything.
- Agree on a family code word for emergencies.
- Ask a question only the real person could answer.
- Limit who can see your profile photo and contacts on social media.
- Be wary of voice notes too: voices can be cloned with AI.
O que fazer / What to do
- Call your bank right away using the official number (back of the card or in the app) and ask to block cards, accounts and access.
- If you paid via Pix, ask your bank to open a MED (Special Return Mechanism) claim as soon as possible — time matters because funds move fast.
- File a police report (many Brazilian states accept online reports) and keep screenshots, receipts, numbers and links.
- Report the profile, ad or number to the platform (WhatsApp — Report option) so it gets taken down and others are protected.
- Warn the person whose photo was used and other relatives, as the scammer usually tries several contacts.
FAQ
How do I know it's really my child on the new number?
Call the old number or ask for a video call. If they make excuses not to talk, treat it as a scam.
How is this different from WhatsApp account takeover?
In the fake-relative scam the fraudster uses another number with the person's photo; in account takeover they hijack the real account. Both are reported as "WhatsApp scams".
Radar
- — Fake-sale scam soars 314% and leads bank customer reports in Brazil. In H1 2025 there were 174,000 fake-sale reports and 139,000 fake call-center reports (+195.7%); WhatsApp scams fell 9.9%. Source: Febraban (via Diario de Pernambuco)
Diario de Pernambuco — Febraban: golpes mais relatados por clientes bancários (1º sem/2025) · CERT.br — Cartilha de Segurança para Internet · FTC — ReportFraud