"Vote for My Child" and "Send Me Money" — WhatsApp Scams Targeting Families and Friends

It usually starts with a friendly message. Nothing strange—just a familiar face from your contact list asking for a small favor. But that's exactly how scammers try to get you.

Two scams are currently spreading fast on WhatsApp, especially among family and friends. They follow the same sneaky steps and can lead to stress, financial loss, or even embarrassment. Here's how to recognize them, avoid falling for them, and what to do if you receive one.

2 Common WhatsApp Scams: How They Fool You

1. "Vote for My Child in a Competition"

You receive a message from someone you know asking you to vote for their own child or a friend's child in a contest. There's a link. You click it (because why not help?)—and then you're asked to enter a code. Seems harmless. But that code gives a scammer access to your WhatsApp account. Within seconds, they're using your name to send the same message to your contacts.

2. "Send Me Money Urgently"

This version hits even harder. Once a scammer takes over a WhatsApp account (like in the example above), they start messaging that person's friends and family, pretending there's an emergency—asking for money right away. Since the sum is not big, most people's instinct is to send it without questions.

While the stories are different, the scam mechanism is the same. Here's how it works behind the scenes.

How Scammers Take Over WhatsApp Accounts

You get a message from someone you trust. It could be a family member, a close friend, or even a co-worker. Their account was already hacked.
There's a link—often to vote in a contest, send money or join a group. You click it. It may look like a real page, but it's actually a phishing site set up to trick you.
You're asked to enter a code. This code usually comes from a real WhatsApp verification message that you also receive. What's really happening: the scammer is trying to log in to your WhatsApp, and you're unknowingly giving them the code they need to complete the login.
You're locked out. Within seconds, you lose access to your account, and the hacker starts sending the same message to your contacts, spreading the scam further.

Sometimes, scammers even look through chats for personal information, or try to trick others in your list into sending them money. It's fast, stressful, and invasive.

What to Do If You Get One of These Messages (or Something Similar)

Don't click on links, even if they come from someone you know and trust.

Watch out for:

Requests to vote for a child or pet in a contest
Urgent pleas for help or money, especially over message only
Links followed by "enter this code to help me"
Messages that don't sound like the person you know

What to do instead:

Call the sender, or message them in a separate chat to double-check if it was really them.
Never share verification codes, even if someone you trust asks for it.
Report suspicious messages in WhatsApp by holding down the message, tapping "More," and selecting "Report."

If Your WhatsApp Account Has Been Hacked

Try to recover your account through WhatsApp using your phone number and a new code.
Email WhatsApp support at [email protected] with details.
Contact your bank immediately if you've shared anything sensitive. Freeze or block accounts just to be safe.
Install a trusted security app like Bitdefender to scan for threats and prevent future incidents.
Report the attack to your national cybersecurity authority.

How to Help Seniors Avoid WhatsApp Scams

Older family members are often more vulnerable because they trust familiar names and may not know about digital scams. Here's how you can help them stay safe:

Explain the scam in simple terms.
Set up two-step verification on their WhatsApp account.
Remind them never to click on links or enter codes, even if a message appears to come from someone they know—even you.
Encourage phone calls. If something feels off, they should always call to check.
Protect their devices. Install a trusted security app like Bitdefender Premium Security to block dangerous links, scan for threats, and prevent scams.

With a Family Protection plan, you can manage everyone's security from one place. As the Family Manager, you get access to a simple dashboard to monitor real-time alerts, adjust privacy settings, and keep your loved ones safe—without making things more complicated.

Check out our plans for families.

Scammers count on your trust and kind nature—that’s what makes these scams so effective and hurtful. But with a little awareness and the right tools, you can stay safe and help protect the people you care about.