Fake Swiss Law Firms Exploit WhatsApp in New Data-Theft Scams
The Brandenburg Consumer Protection Agency has issued a warning about a surge in sophisticated scams targeting personal data. Fraudsters are sending convincing letters, posing as Swiss law firms, to trick victims into sharing sensitive information over WhatsApp, phone, or email. These scams often claim victims are owed large sums in compensation—but only after verifying their identity.
Scammers are circulating official-looking letters that appear to come from reputable law firms. The messages state that recipients are entitled to thousands of euros in court-ordered payouts, often linked to fake prize draws or cryptocurrency fraud. To claim the money, victims are instructed to send copies of their ID or personal details via WhatsApp, phone, or email.
The agency has also reported other fraud tactics, including fake job postings and offers for financial transfer roles. These schemes aim to harvest personal data, which criminals then use to open accounts or take out loans in the victim's name. If scammers demand identification, authorities urge victims to file a police report immediately.
To combat these threats, the Brandenburg Consumer Protection Agency updates its Phishing Radar with the latest suspicious messages. WhatsApp's own development team advises users to avoid responding to unknown numbers, block and report suspicious senders, and enable two-step verification. These steps add an extra layer of security against unauthorised access.
While Swiss authorities recorded around 63,000 cyber incident reports in 2024—including WhatsApp scams—German consumer agencies have not yet released specific figures for this year.
The agency continues to warn the public against sharing personal data through unsecured channels. Enabling security features like two-step verification on WhatsApp can reduce risks. Victims of such scams are encouraged to report incidents to the police and monitor their financial accounts for unusual activity.
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