Be careful if you receive this message on WhatsApp: this is how they steal your account and data.

A new scam is putting thousands of users in Mexico at risk. It begins with a call or WhatsApp message and, within minutes, can leave you locked out of your account.

In recent cases, victims received calls from numbers with international prefixes, including those from the United States, where supposed app technicians claimed to have detected suspicious access. Under this pretext, they requested a six-digit code sent via SMS. By sharing it, the user unwittingly surrendered complete control of their profile.

Scammers pose as technical support staff and use convincing pitches to build trust. They claim your account is compromised and request a verification code. Using these numbers, they log in on another device and lock out the original owner , then use the account to impersonate them.

In Mexico, the Cyber ​​Police have warned that these stolen accounts are often used to request money from the victim's family or friends, requesting bank transfers or phone top-ups.

Losing control of your WhatsApp account means handing over your contact list, conversations, and shared files to criminals. Attackers also send messages in your name requesting urgent deposits or resending verification codes. This way, they can spread the scam to new victims.

Fraud doesn't always start with a phone call. Messages also circulate in which a supposed relative claims to have received a code by mistake and asks you to resend it. If you do, your account is immediately taken over by the scammers.

The authorities recommend:

• Enable two-step verification in the app.
• Never share verification codes, even if a known contact asks for them.
• Frequently review the devices linked to your account.
• If you are a victim, immediately notify your contacts, save evidence, and report it to the Cyber ​​Police (SSC) or the National Guard.

Prevention and distrust of suspicious messages can help prevent you from falling into the hands of digital criminals who are perfecting their techniques every day.