Three Steps to Avoid Being Added to WhatsApp Scam Groups
2025-04-29
Investment scams have been on the rise lately, with scammers randomly adding members of the public to fraudulent investment groups on WhatsApp. They tricked victims into transferring money to unknown accounts by posing as investment experts or displaying screenshots of forged profit-making transaction records. Many including professionals such as surveyors have lost millions of Hong Kong dollars.
In the light of this scam trend, the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre advises members of the public to make good use of WhatsApp’s privacy settings to avoid being added to scam groups.
Use the following WhatsApp tips now:
- Tap “Settings”
- Tap “Privacy” > “Groups”
- Select “My contacts”
- If prompted, tap “Done”
After you complete the above steps, only contacts in your phone’s address book can add you to groups. Since strangers will not be able to add you to groups directly, you will be less likely to fall for scams.
Here are some reminders!
Before making investments, you are advised to visit the Securities and Futures Commission’s website to check whether investment platforms are licensed.
Do not click on suspicious links or download unknown mobile applications.
Do not hastily believe in investment advice from strangers, especially promises of low risks and high returns.
Do not rashly make transfers or give out sensitive personal information (such as identity card numbers and bank account details).
Selected anti-scam videos
Three Steps to Avoid Being Added to WhatsApp Scam Groups#短訊都有假？即睇Taylor Sir & 順豐速遞貼士 (in Chinese only)
留港碩士生被騙往泰國！真實案例 (in Chinese only)
上當因女演員面試官？港生被騙到詐騙園：特別陰森 (in Chinese only)
