National ( The cow news digital ) Authorities in Punjab have issued an urgent advisory following a sharp rise in fraud cases linked to hacked WhatsApp accounts, particularly targeting government officials and their contacts.
According to the advisory released by the provincial Home Department, several recent incidents involved cybercriminals gaining unauthorized access to accounts of serving officers. Once compromised, these accounts were used to send deceptive messages to colleagues, subordinates, and personal contacts, often requesting urgent financial assistance.
Officials noted that the attackers exploit publicly available information such as names, job titles, and profile photos to create convincing digital identities. This makes it easier for them to deceive recipients into believing the messages are legitimate.
The advisory has been circulated to administrative departments, law enforcement agencies, and field formations across the province, urging heightened vigilance. Authorities warned that the scale and sophistication of these attacks indicate a growing trend in cyber-enabled financial fraud.
Cybersecurity experts say such attacks often begin with phishing links, fake verification codes, or social engineering tactics that trick users into sharing sensitive information. Once access is obtained, hackers quickly leverage trust networks to maximize financial gain.
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The government has advised officials and the public to adopt precautionary measures, including enabling two-step verification on WhatsApp, avoiding sharing verification codes, and verifying any financial request through a secondary communication channel before responding.
Law enforcement agencies have also been directed to monitor and investigate these incidents more closely, while awareness campaigns are expected to be intensified to educate the public about evolving cyber threats.
The latest warning underscores the urgent need for stronger digital security practices as cyber fraud continues to expand, posing risks not only to individuals but also to institutional integrity.
