Amidst the excitement of Christmas 2025, one needs to be careful, as cybercriminals have also become active. Fraudsters have started tricking people in the form of good wishes, freebies and surprise gift offers. Cyber thugs are now using the occasion of Christmas to lure users by sending dangerous links. If one falls for the greedy offers of fraudsters, one mistake can also empty the bank account and spoil your festive mood.
The cyber police say the scam is spreading rapidly through WhatsApp forwards and often comes from friends, family members or trusted contacts whose accounts have already been hacked.
How do Christmas scams work?
The scam usually starts with a festive message such as “Merry Christmas! You got a present” or “A Christmas bonus awaits you!” The message contains a shortened or hidden link that claims to offer cashback, gift vouchers, shopping coupons or cash rewards.
Once the link is opened, users are redirected to a fake website that looks like a well-known brand, bank or payment platform. After this, you are asked to enter mobile number, personal details and banking related information or you are asked to install or allow any application. Clicking on the link installs the malware and gives the fraudsters remote access to the phone, allowing the fraudsters to read the OTP, access banking apps and perform transactions without permission.
How to protect yourself from WhatsApp scams?
- It is advised to never click on unknown or suspicious links.
- Think 100 times before opening any festive offer or gift link.
- Avoid entering banking details, CVV number or OTP on any unknown site.
- Continue with WhatsApp two-step verification.