Big cyber alert on WhatsApp before New Year 2026, bank account will be emptied in the name of greeting card

WhatsApp New Year Scam: Now in a few days people will say goodbye to 2025 and welcome the new year 2026. While on one hand the joys of New Year are knocking, on the other hand cyber fraudsters are taking advantage of this opportunity to cheat people. WhatsApp But these days, dangerous scam messages in the name of New Year greeting cards are becoming increasingly viral. Cyber ​​cell and police department have issued a serious warning regarding this.

Dangerous trap in the name of New Year greeting

Many users are receiving such messages from unknown numbers in which an app or link to send New Year cards has been given. This is not an ordinary congratulatory message, but an APK file filled with malware. If someone accidentally downloads or opens this file, the phone can be hacked within a few minutes and money can be stolen from the bank account.

Tamil Nadu Police issued warning

Tirunelveli District Police of Tamil Nadu has recently issued an alert regarding this fake New Year greeting app. According to the police, scammers are sending this message to people “Send special New Year cards to your friends and relatives” A link or APK file is attached to it. As soon as the user clicks on it, the malware gets installed on the phone and the fraudsters get complete access to the device.

How does a bank account become empty?

According to cyber crime experts, APK file is the format of Android app. Dangerous malware is hidden in such files from third party sources. Once installed, it can read your SMS, steal OTP, control banking apps and forward the same fake messages to people in your contact list. In many cases, bank accounts have become empty within minutes.

Also read: Read this news before buying a new TV, prices will suddenly increase in the new year

Old scam, new method

This scam is not completely new. Earlier, similar fake APKs have been sent in the name of traffic challan, wedding invite and bank alert. Even in the year 2025, many such cases came to light, in which people suffered huge losses by downloading just one file.

protect yourself like this

Cyber ​​Police advises not to click on any link given in any message received from an unknown number or download any file. Install apps only from Google Play Store. Make sure to keep two-step verification on on WhatsApp. If the APK is accidentally installed, immediately factory reset the phone, inform the bank and file a complaint on cybercrime helpline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.