WhatsApp 'Ghost Pairing' Scam: How Cybercriminals Access Your Chats

• 'Ghost pairing' is a scam where cybercriminals secretly link your WhatsApp account to another device without your knowledge.
• Scammers trick users into sharing verification codes or scanning fake QR codes, exploiting WhatsApp's 'Linked Devices' feature.
• They often impersonate friends, bank officials, or WhatsApp support to induce panic or curiosity, leading victims to comply.
• Once linked, attackers gain real-time access to your chats and media, which can be used for fraud, identity theft, or blackmail.
• Protect yourself by never sharing codes/QR, regularly checking 'Linked Devices' for unfamiliar sessions, and being alert to social engineering.

Why It Matters: Beware of WhatsApp 'ghost pairing' scams; never share codes or scan unknown QR codes to protect your data.