Independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada has issued a public alert through his Facebook segment #TanteandoCuba, warning about a scam targeting users involved in buying and selling groups on Revolico in the Camagüey province.
Tan Estrada revealed that fraudsters are posting advertisements for essential goods at significantly lower prices than the informal market to lure victims, ultimately stealing their WhatsApp accounts.
"There are unscrupulous individuals posting in Revolico groups in the province, selling essential items below the informal market value," Tan Estrada warned in a video that has garnered over 32,000 views.
How the Scam Works
The scam starts with a seemingly genuine ad, where scammers include their phone number to appear trustworthy. Once victims reach out, they receive a link to a supposed sales group on WhatsApp for a small business.
"The person behind these scams sends a supposed link to a WhatsApp sales group for a small business to hack your accounts," explained the journalist.
Two Methods of Deception
The fraud operates in two ways. In the first method, clicking the malicious link immediately compromises the victim's accounts. In the second, more sophisticated approach, the scammer asks for the six-digit verification code WhatsApp sends via SMS when registering on a new device. Providing this code results in losing control of the account, allowing the scammer to impersonate the victim and request money from their contacts.
Tan Estrada pointed out the vulnerability of victims, stating, "Some people fall for the scam due to their lack of experience on social media and the desperation of daily life."
He concluded his warning with a direct appeal: "Do not click on unfamiliar links, and never send verification codes to others regarding access to your social media, or your accounts will be hacked, and they will impersonate you to ask for money."
Community Feedback and Additional Warnings
Comments on the video added depth to the complaint, with affected individuals sharing their experiences. One user noted that scammers "post under different names in the Revolico groups, but consistently use a phone number ending in 2521."
Another user highlighted that the scam extends to fake job offers: "They offer jobs, claim to have vacancies in small businesses, and ask for your bank card number, either BANDEC, BPA, or classic, to scam you."
A third commenter warned that liquefied gas is another product used as bait.
"In most cases, they use more than one phone number and list merchandise prices well below the current rates," added another user.
One person offered practical advice: "Enable two-step authentication on your accounts, and do not share personal codes with anyone."
Rising Trend of Social Media Scams
This form of social media fraud has spread across Cuba. In March, a woman in Camagüey was scammed after joining a WhatsApp group with a similar mechanism, and in August, another victim lost $1,900 due to a WhatsApp hack.
In May, reports of a new wave of scams indicated losses of up to 70,000 pesos in various provinces.
Understanding Revolico Scams in Camagüey
What is the main method used by scammers in Revolico groups?
Scammers post ads for essential goods at low prices to attract victims and then send malicious links to steal WhatsApp accounts.
How can individuals protect themselves from these scams?
Avoid clicking on unfamiliar links and never share verification codes. It's also recommended to enable two-step authentication on social media accounts.
What other tactics do scammers use in these frauds?
Scammers also post fake job offers, requesting bank card information under the guise of employment opportunities.