WhatsApp For What? Spammers Bomb User Inboxes With Fake Adult-Themed Opportunities

Spammers have laid down seemingly harmless traps for users in search of adult-themed fun over the Internet.

In the last month, attackers bombarded thousands of inboxes with explicit spam emails claiming to provide hookups on WhatsApp, according to Bitdefender Antispam Lab’s latest telemetry.

The perps spiced up the email header that mentions the name of the cross-platform instant messaging service, delivering lewd adverts via Microsoft SharePoint.

They add clickbait titles to entice recipients who may feel tempted to access the link out of curiosity.

“I’m a Single Girl. Need Partner. Obviously real..No drama no fake. If u interested? It’s Free. Visit Me,” reads one message. Besides the pronounced grammar mistakes, Emily’s invitation seems as if she reached the character limit, obviously.

Another WhatsApp “babe” put a lot more effort into the proposition, making sure the description offers a distinct glimpse into her personality.

The links in these spam messages direct recipients to adult-themed and dating websites.

So what can happen? Anything. From malware downloads to phishing attacks, users who access these adult websites risk their financial wellbeing and privacy.

Even if the initial message doesn”t pose an immediate threat, it doesn”t rule out a possible malware infection or attempts at hijacking credit card information. More often than not, users must create an account or register on the website to view any content.

As many internet users living through Covid-19 and social distancing measures know, some online platforms have rolled out dating services. So why can’t the Facebook-owned WhatsApp have one?

WhatsApp doesn”t send users any message requests or adverts via email. Recipients should keep this in mind if they are puzzled in regards to the legitimacy of the message. 

By pairing the popularity of the instant messaging platform with Microsoft’s SharePoint, the spammers create a false sense of security to recipients. If you receive one of these spam emails, delete it immediately without clicking the link.

Note: This article is based on technical information provided courtesy of Bitdefender Antispam Lab.