Cuban content creator Darelys Mendoza (@darelysms) took to social media to expose a scam that targeted her family in Cuba. The incident involved criminals who cloned her mother's WhatsApp account, a resident of Camagüey, using the lure of a purported house sale advertised on the platform Revolico.
In a video shared on her social platforms, Mendoza recounted how it all started with her spotting an appealing house for sale on the popular classified ads site used across the island. From the United States, where she currently resides, she informed her mother about the listing so she could reach out to the alleged seller.
Her mother called the number listed in the ad, only to be told by the seller that he was not in Camagüey and couldn't show her the property. Instead, he instructed her to join a WhatsApp group purportedly filled with the home's owners and other potential buyers.
“When she told me she had joined a WhatsApp group, I immediately warned her to leave because it was a scam, but it was too late,” Mendoza explained.
The real trouble began the following day, according to her account. The scammers managed to clone the WhatsApp account on her mother's phone and started messaging all the contacts saved on the device, requesting money under the guise of the affected individual.
“They cloned the WhatsApp account. They had access to all my information because that phone used to be mine before I gave it to her. It had all my contacts,” Mendoza shared.
The number used by the scammers for this operation is +5359310320.
Mendoza decided to share this ordeal to warn other Cubans, as this kind of fraud has become increasingly prevalent on the island, particularly through fake ads for homes or products on buy-and-sell platforms.
Her post's comments were filled with users who confirmed they had heard about similar scams, while others pointed out that such incidents have occurred in various provinces across the country.
Some expressed gratitude for the warning, admitting they were unaware of this digital fraud method that exploits trust between family and friends to solicit money once the criminals gain control of an account.
Mendoza emphasized the importance of being wary of WhatsApp groups created by supposed sellers and always verifying the legitimacy of any transaction before sharing personal information or proceeding with any dealings.
Key Questions About Preventing WhatsApp Scams
How can you protect your WhatsApp account from being cloned?
To protect your WhatsApp account, enable two-step verification, be cautious about joining unknown groups, and avoid sharing personal information with untrusted contacts.
What should you do if you suspect a scam on a buy-and-sell platform?
If you suspect a scam, report the ad to the platform, avoid contacting the seller, and never provide personal information or send money.