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The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued an urgent public advisory regarding a surge in fraudulent messages targeting WhatsApp users across the nation.

The regulatory body is urging users to exercise extreme caution when encountering suspicious messages, originating from either local or international numbers, that mimic official WhatsApp communications and display the platform’s logo.

These deceptive messages, as identified by the PTA, frequently contain malicious URL links and make false claims, such as purported violations of WhatsApp rules or demands for account verification. The PTA clarifies that these messages are not genuinely from WhatsApp, and clicking on the embedded links could lead to severe consequences, including data theft or a complete compromise of the user’s WhatsApp account.

Users are strongly advised to refrain from clicking on any dubious links or replying to such messages. Instead, the PTA recommends immediately blocking the sender and reporting the contact directly through WhatsApp’s official channels, with guidance available in their help center for both Android and iOS devices.

The authority underscored that despite their authentic appearance, these messages are designed to trick users into jeopardizing their digital security. The PTA reiterated that WhatsApp itself does not initiate such communications and that any unsolicited requests for account actions should be treated with deep skepticism.

The PTA also reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding digital communications and implored the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Furthermore, the authority encouraged citizens to regularly update their applications and activate two-step verification on WhatsApp to bolster their account security.