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WhatsApp Scams: Fake Investment Groups and Strangers' Chats

WhatsApp is where many social media scams start. How fake investment groups and friendly strangers work, and how to report and block them in the app.

By Nathan Fielder Checked against official sources

Published

Quick answer

WhatsApp scams often start with a message from a stranger or an invitation to an investment 'club' group full of fake success stories. The FTC says only Facebook had higher reported losses to social media scams than WhatsApp in 2025. Never let someone you met in a messaging app direct your investments, and report suspicious accounts in the app.

WhatsApp scams usually begin with someone you have never met. A friendly message from an unknown number, or an invitation to a group of “investors” who all seem to be making money. The FTC’s data shows how much is at stake: people reported losing more money to scams that started on Facebook than on any other social media platform in 2025, and WhatsApp was second.

Red Flag Briefing is not affiliated with WhatsApp or Meta. For scams across all platforms, see our guide to social media scams.

What are the most common WhatsApp scams?

Three patterns show up again and again in FTC warnings:

  • Fake investment groups. The FTC says scammers created WhatsApp groups full of “successful investors” sharing glowing, but fake, testimonials.
  • Friendly strangers. A message that opens with a casual greeting, like a “wrong number” text, becomes a long conversation that turns to money. See the wrong number text scam.
  • Fake jobs. The FTC’s first tip on task scams is to ignore generic and unexpected texts, WhatsApp or Telegram messages about jobs. Real employers won’t contact you that way. See job and task scams.

How do fake WhatsApp investment groups work?

The group does the selling. Members, often fake accounts, post screenshots of profits and thank the “mentor” who guides them. New members are encouraged to open an account on a trading app or website the group recommends. The balance appears to grow until you try to withdraw, and then come the fees and “taxes.” That is how trading scams work.

EXAMPLE — SCAM
+1 (646) 555-0191 Text message

Hello! You’ve been selected to join our VIP Wealth Club on WhatsApp. Our analyst shares free daily stock picks — members made 30% last month. Join here: https://wealth-club-invite.example.com

An invitation to a fake WhatsApp investment group This is a made-up example based on real scam reports. Never reply to, call, or tap links in messages like this.

The FTC’s advice is direct: never let someone you met on social media direct your investment decisions.

Why do strangers message you on WhatsApp?

To start a relationship they can later use. The FTC says senders of “hi, how are you?” messages usually apologize for the mix-up, build rapport and trust, and then offer advice on investing in cryptocurrency or how to earn big profits, for a fee. Even a short reply tells them your number is active.

How do you report and block a scammer on WhatsApp?

Use the app’s built-in options to report and block the account, and leave any group you didn’t ask to join. The FTC also suggests limiting who can see your posts and contacts on social media, which makes it harder for scammers to find and target you.

What should you do if you sent money?

Act fast. The FTC says to contact the company or bank you used to pay right away and ask them to stop or reverse the payment, then report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Our first-hour checklist after a scam covers each payment method, and where to report a scam lists every agency that takes reports. To report a fake trading site, see how to report a scam website.

Watch for a second wave: people who lost money are often contacted by fake “recovery” services. See recovery scams.

Red flags: how to spot this scam

  1. A stranger messages you on WhatsApp, or adds you to a group you never asked to join.
  2. The group is full of 'successful investors' posting screenshots of big profits and urging you to join in.
  3. Someone offers a job for 'rating' products or apps, or says you can make a lot of money quickly with little risk.

What to do

  1. Don't reply to messages from people you don't know, and leave groups you didn't ask to join.
  2. Never let someone you met in a messaging app direct your investment decisions.
  3. Use WhatsApp's own options to report and block the account.
  4. Limit who can see your profile, posts and contacts.
  5. If you sent money, contact your bank or payment app right away and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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Where to report it

Reporting helps investigators spot patterns and warn others — even if you did not lose money. Type these addresses yourself or use the links below; do not use links from a suspicious message.

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

    Any scam, fraud or bad business practice — calls, texts, emails, websites and impostors.

    ReportFraud.ftc.gov

  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

    Online and computer-related fraud, including tech-support, romance, investment and crypto scams.

    IC3.gov

You can also report to your state attorney general. If you sent money, call your bank or card company right away using the number on the back of your card.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to join a WhatsApp investment group?

Be very careful. The FTC says scammers have created WhatsApp groups full of 'successful investors' sharing glowing, but fake, testimonials. Never let someone you met online direct your investment decisions.

Why did a stranger message me on WhatsApp?

Often to start a conversation that ends in a request for money. The FTC warns about unexpected messages that open with a casual greeting, and about generic job offers sent through WhatsApp and Telegram. Real employers won't contact you that way.

Is WhatsApp affiliated with Red Flag Briefing?

No. Red Flag Briefing is an independent publication and is not affiliated with WhatsApp or Meta. We explain scams described in official U.S. government warnings.

Sources

We rely on official government sources. Read how we check facts in our editorial policy.

  1. FTC Data Spotlight: Reported losses to scams on social media eight times higher than in 2020 (Apr. 27, 2026) (ftc.gov, accessed )
  2. FTC consumer alert: How to spot and avoid task scams (Aug. 2025) (consumer.ftc.gov, accessed )
  3. FTC consumer alert: Why it's not rude to ignore "hi, how are you?" text messages from strangers (June 3, 2024) (consumer.ftc.gov, accessed )
  4. FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed (consumer.ftc.gov, accessed )

Related scams

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