Since a few days, some users are seen reporting on Twitter that a viral message is being distributed on WhatsApp which tricks users to download the ‘WhatsApp Gold’ version, which in reality is a malware to infect smart phones. According to the alleged message, ‘WhatsApp Gold’ was until now used by ‘big celebrities’ and includes some new features like video calling, ability to send 100 images at once, free calling, ability to change WhatsApp themes and more. The message also reportedly says that the ‘WhatsApp Gold’ version is not available to all users and can be installed only via invitation.
The message comes with the invitation link attached along with it and directs an user to www.goldenversion.com, clicking on which leads to an error 404 message. But the story doesn’t end here. Even though the user receives an error on his end, a ransomware gets allegedly downloaded into the device which then attempts to access all kinds of private information that people are likely to store on their smart phones. It is not yet clear as to how many people have been affected by the scam. The app is not available on either the Apple App store or Google Play store.
This latest scam is quite similar to the previously seen ‘WhatsApp Plus’ scam, but potentially more dangerous. WhatsApp has already declared that it will ban the devices that include this unauthorised malware. The company in its FAQ page says WhatsApp Plus is an application that was not developed by WhatsApp, nor is it authorised by WhatsApp. The company also says that it would never ask its users to upgrade or download another app, over text messages. The company says that in case it needs to, it would reach its users over official point of contact like emails.
