Fake WhatsApp ‘New Voice Message’ Email Scam [Explained]

Scammers are constantly finding new ways to deceive unsuspecting individuals and steal their personal information or money. One such scam that has been on the rise recently is the fake WhatsApp ‘New Voice Message’ email scam. This scam targets WhatsApp users by sending them an email notification that appears to be from WhatsApp, claiming that they have received a new voice message. However, this email is not from WhatsApp and is instead a clever ploy to trick users into clicking on malicious links or providing their personal information.

Scams

How the Scam Works

The fake WhatsApp ‘New Voice Message’ email scam works by exploiting the trust that users have in the WhatsApp platform. The scammers send an email to the user’s inbox, which appears to be from WhatsApp and includes the WhatsApp logo and branding. The email typically contains a subject line that says something like “New Voice Message” or “You have a new voice message.”

When the user opens the email, they are presented with a message that says they have received a new voice message on WhatsApp. The email also includes a button or link that the user is instructed to click on in order to listen to the message. However, clicking on this link or button will not play a voice message, but instead, it will redirect the user to a malicious website or download malware onto their device.

Examples of Fake WhatsApp ‘New Voice Message’ Emails

Here are a few examples of what these fake WhatsApp ‘New Voice Message’ emails may look like:

Subject: New Voice Message
From: WhatsApp <no-reply@whatsapp.com>
Message: You have received a new voice message on WhatsApp. Click here to listen to it.

Subject: You have a new voice message
From: WhatsApp <no-reply@whatsapp.com>
Message: Hi, you have received a new voice message on WhatsApp. Tap here to listen to it.

What to Do If You Have Fallen Victim

If you have fallen victim to the fake WhatsApp ‘New Voice Message’ email scam, it is important to take immediate action to protect yourself and your personal information. Here are the steps you should take:

Do not click on any links or download any attachments from the email.
Delete the email from your inbox and trash folder.
Scan your device for viruses or malware using a reputable antivirus software like Malwarebytes Free.
Change your WhatsApp password to ensure that your account is secure.
Report the scam to WhatsApp by forwarding the email to their support team at support@whatsapp.com.
Monitor your financial accounts and credit reports for any suspicious activity.

How to Protect Yourself from Email Scams

While it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of falling victim to email scams, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself:

Be cautious of emails that ask you to click on links or download attachments, especially if they are from unknown senders or contain suspicious content.
Verify the sender’s email address and check for any spelling or grammatical errors in the email.
Never provide personal or financial information in response to an email request.
Enable two-factor authentication on your email and other online accounts to add an extra layer of security.
Regularly update your antivirus software and run scans on your devices.

Summary

The fake WhatsApp ‘New Voice Message’ email scam is a growing threat that targets WhatsApp users by tricking them into clicking on malicious links or providing their personal information. To protect yourself, it is important to be cautious of suspicious emails, avoid clicking on unknown links or downloading attachments, and regularly update your antivirus software. If you have fallen victim to this scam, take immediate action by deleting the email, scanning your device for malware, changing your WhatsApp password, and reporting the scam to WhatsApp. By staying vigilant and following these steps, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to email scams and protect your personal information.

10 Rules to Avoid Online Scams

Here are 10 practical safety rules to help you avoid malware, online shopping scams, crypto scams, and other online fraud. Each tip includes a quick “if you already got hit” action.

Stop and verify before you click, log in, download, or pay.

Most scams win by creating urgency. Verify using a trusted method: type the website address yourself, use the official app, or call a known number (not the one in the message).

If you already clicked: close the page, do not enter passwords, and run a malware scan.
Keep your operating system, browser, and apps updated.

Updates patch security holes used by malware and malicious ads. Turn on automatic updates where possible.

If you saw a scary “update now” pop-up: close it and update only through your device settings or the official app store.
Use layered protection: antivirus plus an ad blocker.

Antivirus helps block malware. An ad blocker reduces scam redirects, phishing pages, and malvertising.

If your browser is acting weird: remove unknown extensions, reset the browser, then run a full scan.
Install apps, software, and extensions only from official sources.

Avoid cracked software, “keygens,” and random downloads. During installs, choose Custom/Advanced and decline bundled offers you do not recognize.

If you already installed something suspicious: uninstall it, restart, and scan again.
Treat links and attachments as untrusted by default.

Phishing often impersonates delivery services, banks, and popular brands. If it is unexpected, do not open attachments or log in through the message.

If you entered credentials: change the password immediately and enable 2FA.
Shop safely: research the store, then pay with protection.

Be cautious with brand-new stores, “closing sale” stories, and prices that make no sense. Prefer credit cards or PayPal for dispute options. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, and crypto payments.

If you already paid: contact your card issuer or PayPal quickly to dispute the transaction.
Crypto rule: never pay a “fee” to withdraw or recover money.

Common patterns include fake profits, then “tax,” “gas,” or “verification” fees. Another is a “recovery agent” who demands upfront crypto.

If you already sent crypto: stop paying, save evidence (wallet addresses, TXIDs, chats), and report the scam to the platform used.
Secure your accounts with unique passwords and 2FA (start with email).

Use a password manager and unique passwords for every account. Enable 2FA using an authenticator app when possible.

If you suspect an account takeover: change passwords, sign out of all devices, and review recent logins and recovery settings.
Back up important files and keep one backup offline.

Backups protect you from ransomware and device failure. Keep at least one backup on an external drive that is not always connected.

If you suspect infection: do not connect backup drives until the system is clean.
If you think you are a victim: stop losses, document evidence, and escalate fast.

Move quickly. Speed matters for disputes, account recovery, and limiting damage.
- Stop payments and contact: do not send more money or respond to the scammer.
- Call your bank or card issuer: block transactions, replace the card if needed, and start a dispute or chargeback.
- Secure your email first: change the email password, enable 2FA, and remove unfamiliar recovery options.
- Secure other accounts: change passwords, enable 2FA, and log out of all sessions.
- Scan your device: remove suspicious apps or extensions, then run a full malware scan.
- Save evidence: screenshots, emails, order pages, tracking pages, wallet addresses, TXIDs, and chat logs.
- Report it: to the payment provider, marketplace, social platform, exchange, or wallet service involved.

These rules are intentionally simple. Most online losses happen when decisions are rushed. Slow down, verify independently, and use payment methods and account controls that give you recourse.