A stranger messages me on WhatsApp: how to verify it
A number you have not saved messages you on WhatsApp: a job offer, a "child" with a new number or a promo prize. Verify before you reply.
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A stranger messages me on WhatsApp: how to verify it
A number you have not saved messages you on WhatsApp. Sometimes it is a real contact with a new line, but most of these messages are scam attempts: reports from the NoCall community include more and more numbers that operate through messaging apps.
1. The 3 most common scams
- Fake job offer — "Earn money liking posts" or online tasks that end with a request for an upfront payment or a "registration fee".
- The "child in trouble" — "Mummy, this is my new number, I'm in trouble" followed by an urgent request for a transfer.
- Prize or promo — You have "won" a promo, airtime or cash that you can only collect after paying a fee or sending your bank details or BVN.
2. Verify through another channel
Do not continue the conversation on the new number: call the person on their usual number, video-call them or ask something only they would know. A real relative will be glad you checked.
3. Never share codes
Nobody legitimate will ask you for a verification code. If someone asks for the WhatsApp code you have just received by SMS, they are trying to steal your account, and then they will message your contacts in your name.
4. Block and report
In the chat, tap the number and choose "Block" and "Report". Report it on NoCall too, to warn other users, and if a supposed relative asks you for money, first read our guides for suspicious calls and messages. If you have already sent money, tell your bank at once and report it to the police through the NPF-NCCC e-reporting portal; job and prize scams that demand fees can also be reported to the EFCC.
Why is a stranger messaging me on WhatsApp?
It can be a real contact with a new number, but most often it is a scam: fake job offers, the "child in trouble" trick asking for urgent money, or promo prizes that demand a fee before they are released.
How do I verify whether the message is genuine?
Do not play along on the new number: call the person on their usual number or reach them through another channel. Be wary of urgency, sloppy wording and any request for money, your BVN or verification codes.
How do I report and block the number on WhatsApp?
Open the chat, tap the number and choose "Block" and "Report". You can also report the number on NoCall to warn other users.
Sources and review
Reviewed:
- NPF-NCCC | National Cybercrime Centre E-Reporting Portal
- Economic and Financial Crime Commission - EFCC
Numbering, carrier tools, and reporting procedures can change. Verify sensitive steps with the linked primary authority.
Article details
Editorial content reviewed by NoCall with practical context for spotting suspicious calls and messages.
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