It begins with a simple, unsuspecting phone call—a friendly voice claiming to be from your bank, telling you there’s an issue with your account. They sound legitimate. But as you follow their instructions, a chill runs down your spine as you realize you’ve been tricked. With a single tap, you’ve opened a door for a complete stranger to see everything on your phone, from your banking transactions to your personal messages. This is the new WhatsApp screen mirroring fraud, a terrifying scam that allows criminals to watch your every move, stealing your OTPs and PINs in real time, and draining your bank account before you even have a chance to scream for help.
What exactly is the WhatsApp screen mirroring scam?
Fintech company OneCard has sounded the alarm about a fast-spreading cyber threat dubbed the WhatsApp Screen Mirroring Fraud. The advisory cautions that while the scam can be avoided with simple precautions, the real danger lies in the lack of awareness. Many users, unaware of how the trick works, have already become victims—suffering drained bank accounts, stolen identities, and serious financial setbacks.
According to OneCard, the scam involves fraudsters persuading unsuspecting individuals to activate screen-sharing during WhatsApp interactions. Once this access is granted, criminals can view sensitive information in real time, including one-time passwords (OTPs), bank credentials, and even private messages. This stolen data can then be used to seize control of accounts, carry out unauthorized transactions, or commit identity theft—leaving victims vulnerable long after the initial breach.
How the WhatsApp screen mirroring scam unfolds
The WhatsApp screen mirroring scam is a carefully staged deception that begins with trust. Fraudsters often disguise themselves as representatives from well-known banks or financial institutions, claiming that there is an urgent issue with your account. To appear helpful, they convince victims to share their screen so they can “assist” in resolving the problem.
From there, the trick escalates. The scammer may walk the target through enabling screen-sharing or push them into starting a WhatsApp video call, pretending they need a clearer view to proceed. Once live access is granted, every action on the device becomes visible to the fraudster. Under the pretense of verification, they initiate transactions, and the moment a PIN, password, or one-time code is entered, the details are instantly compromised.
In some variations of the scam, rather than relying solely on screen-sharing, victims are persuaded to install an app that secretly contains a keylogger, a malicious program that records every keystroke on a virtual keyboard. This is why many banks encourage customers to use on-screen keyboards, which are harder for such spyware to track.
With stolen credentials in hand, cybercriminals can move beyond simple theft, draining accounts, tampering with financial records, and even taking over social media or email profiles. The stolen data becomes a weapon for unauthorized transactions and identity fraud, leaving victims with devastating financial and personal consequences.
How to stay safe from the WhatsApp screen mirroring scam
As fraudsters continue to find new ways to exploit trust, vigilance remains your best line of defense. OneCard’s recent advisory outlines a set of straightforward but powerful precautions that can help protect you from falling victim to WhatsApp screen mirroring fraud.
Be cautious with every call. Always verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent a bank, financial institution, or customer service team. Screen-sharing should be treated as a last resort, used only when necessary and strictly with people you trust. Android users should also disable the “Install apps from unknown sources” option to reduce the risk of malicious software sneaking onto their devices. If you come across suspicious callers, block them immediately and report the incident to the appropriate cybercrime authorities.
Equally important is knowing what not to do. Avoid answering calls from unknown or suspicious numbers, and never access financial apps such as mobile banking, UPI services, or digital wallets while screen-sharing is enabled.
The WhatsApp screen mirroring scam is a chilling reminder that in the digital world, a moment of trust can turn into a lifetime of regret. But while the threat is real, it is also preventable. Remember: cybercriminals thrive on ignorance and haste, so arming yourself with awareness is the best way to shut the door on their schemes before they ever get a chance to strike.
Source: Economic Times