Fake Messages Threatening WhatsApp Users About Paying For WhatsApp Usage, Switching Off Service Spreads, Simply Delete Such Messages

Fake messages have been circulating on popular instant messaging service WhatsApp and these are related to the messenger itself. The messages actually indicate that WhatsApp would be turned off – theoretically, no messages would be sent/received, daily between 11:30 PM IST to 6:30 AM IST. Also, these non-genuine messages mention about the messenger charging money to users – and the charges amount to Rs 499 per month. 

Fake, fake, and fake 

Now, understand that we are sounding off an alert as the above message related to WhatsApp is fake and has been circulated by shady elements. If you have received similar messages, full message given below (as we received), remember that it is fake and WhatsApp clearly has not and would not resort to such manoeuvres at any point in time. In case there are changes to the app’s services, there would be genuine public confirmations, In this regard, do check if you have received the below message on WhatsApp – as a forward possibly: 

“WhatsApp will be off from 11:30 PM to 6:00 Am delay declared by the central govt. Message from Narendra Modi (PM) we have had an over usage of user names on WhatsApp Messenger. We are requesting all users to forward this message to their entire contact list. If you do not forward the message, we will take it as your account is invalid and it will be deleted within the next 48 hours. 
 
Do not ignore my words or WhatsApp will no longer recognise your activation. If you wish to re-activate your account after it has been deleted, a charge of 499.00 will be added to your monthly bill. We are also aware of the issue involving the pictures updates not showing. We are working diligently at fixing this problem and it will be up and running as soon as possible.  

Thank you for your co-operation from the modi team. WhatsApp is going to cost you money soon. The only way that it will stay free is if you are a frequent user I.e. you have at least 50 people you are chatting with. To become a frequent user, send this message to 10 people who receive it (2 ticks) and your WhatsApp logo will change colour.  

Send this to 8 people to activate the new WhatsApp. Saturday morning WhatsApp will become chargeable. If you have at least 10 contacts send them this message. In this way we will see that you are an avid user and your logo will become blue and will remain free. (As discussed in the paper today. WhatsApp will cost 0.01 Euros per message. Send this message to 10 people. When you do the light will turn blue otherwise WhatsApp will activate billing). 

ITS TRUE..... U get blue TICKS.” 

The above message is a long one, but it is likely that users would heavy read it in entirety considering the fact that it is talking about levying charges for WhatsApp usage.  

Stay alert 

In summary, the above message is fake, and it was received (forwarded) in other Indian languages as well; do not fall prey to it and resort to not using the platform. WhatsApp is and would continue to function as a communication app and there has been so diktat regarding charging users for messages (individual accounts). Hence, exercise digital vigilance and stay safe. Delete any message like the above (or the above itself) as soon as you read it and detect unspurious aspects. 

Also Read: Facebook-WhatsApp-Instagram Outage: Services Accessible Like Before, After Glitches, Are There Changes?