By: Caesar Morris
A growing cybersecurity threat is emerging in Liberia, and it’s targeting one of the most widely used messaging apps in the country, WhatsApp. A growing trend in Liberia is revealing that a troubling number of WhatsApp users are being hacked daily. Every day, more and more Liberians are finding themselves locked out of their WhatsApp accounts after falling victim to a calculated and manipulative hacking scheme.
According to several victims, the hacking attempt usually starts with a phone call. The caller claims to represent an organization or group organizing a virtual meeting or online event.
The victim is told they are required to participate, and shortly after the call, they receive a message containing a link allegedly to join the virtual meeting. However, once the link is clicked, the victim unknowingly gives the hacker access to their WhatsApp account.
Within seconds, they are logged out, and the hacker takes control of their profile. What’s even more concerning is that many of the victims are reporting the same type of encounter, a scam that appears to be spreading quickly and targeting unsuspecting individuals nationwide.
What Happens After the Hack?
Once inside the account, the hacker sends out a mass message to all the victim’s contacts. The message is crafted to create urgency and sympathy. Here’s an example used across multiple victims:
“I’m trying to send money to someone for treatment and it’s urgent, but my network is giving me issues. Please I don’t know if you can help me send it to the person. I will send it back to you once I’m able to send.”
The hacker then shares a local MTN Mobile Money number and pleads for immediate assistance. Many recipients, believing they are helping a friend or relative in a time of need, end up sending money directly to the scammer.
This scam has affected several people in the country. Some have lost money, while others have lost access to their WhatsApp accounts entirely. This form of scam not only deceives the victim’s friends and family into sending money but also puts many at financial and emotional risk.
The Scope of the Threat
According to data from https://datareportal.com, Liberia had approximately 941,000 active social media users in January 2025. Given its prevalence and popularity across all age groups, especially among smart phone users, experts estimate conservatively that 70–90 % of social media users in Liberia use WhatsApp, meaning hundreds of thousands of accounts are potentially vulnerable to this hacking scheme.
Protect yourself by building resistance against hackers. WhatsApp users in Liberia can stay safe by enabling Two-Step Verification or 2FA in their whatsapp account. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is your first and strongest line of defense. It ensures that even if a hacker gets your verification code, they cannot access your account without a secret six-digit PIN you create.
Steps to enable 2FA on WhatsApp:
Open WhatsApp.
Tap on the three dots (menu) in the top right corner.
Select Settings > Account > Two-step verification.
Tap Enable.
Enter a six-digit PIN of your choice and confirm it;
Add your email address for recovery in case you forget your PIN.
Another way to protect your online presence is to update your phone’s operating system regularly. Operating system updates often include critical security patches that fix known vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit. Steps to update your phone:
Android: Go to Settings > System > System update. Or go Settings and search for update. Your goal is to update the system.
iPhone (iOS): Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Enable automatic updates, when possible, to ensure you don’t miss critical patches.
Another point to note; Never click on suspicious links. If you receive a link whether from an unknown number or even a familiar contact always take a moment to verify its legitimacy. Cybercriminals often impersonate trusted individuals to trick you into clicking harmful links.
Be especially cautious with messages that feel urgent, unusual, or offer free money, emergency assistance, or unexpected meeting invites. When in doubt, call the sender directly to confirm. Cybersecurity starts with awareness. Share such information with your family, friends, and colleagues. Many people fall victim to these scams simply because they weren’t aware such tactics exist.
Recommendations
To strengthen national resilience against such scams is we take holistic action as a nation:
Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) needs to work with all National Mobile Operators (NMO) including MTN, Orange, LTC mobile etc. to not just block suspicious mobile money numbers used in the scams but also aid law enforcement with necessary details related to such fraudulent mobile money numbers helping law enforcement to arrest perpetrators there disrupting their operations.
The government, in partnership with National Mobile Operators (NMO) including MTN, Orange, LTC mobile etc., should establish a national fraud hotline (email/telephone) where citizens can report suspicious WhatsApp activity or fraudulent mobile money transactions. This hotline should be toll-free, widely advertised, and staffed by trained personnel.
Cyber safety awareness campaigns should be launched through radio, social media, and SMS to educate the public on common scam tactics and prevention steps.
Local media outlets must play a role in spreading verified information on cyber threats and safety measures.
If your WhatsApp account has already been compromised, its best practice to inform your contacts immediately through SMS or alternative options. Try to recover your WhatsApp account by re-registering your number and verifying with your 2FA code. You should also report fraudulent mobile money numbers to your mobile service provider to help block them from further use.
In today’s digital world, securing your online presence is no longer optional, it is necessary. The WhatsApp hacking trend in Liberia is a clear warning to all of us: stay informed, stay alert, and take the necessary precautions. What seems like just a message or a call could result in losing access to your contacts, your money, and your peace of mind. Don’t be the next victim.
Caesar Morris is an IT specialist, social entrepreneur, and emerging diplomat. In 2006, he founded Allbright.com.lr, a company dedicated to providing innovative IT solutions and technical support to both the public and private sectors in Liberia. Since 2015, Allbright.com.lr has played a key role in helping thousands of vehicle owners safeguard their assets against theft.
The company offers affordable GPS tracking-as-a-service, giving customers peace of mind without the burden of high upfront costs typically associated with GPS technology.
With subscription plans starting as low as 9USD/Liberian Dollars equivalent per month, even motorbike and keke owners can access reliable vehicle tracking making advanced GPS tracking accessible to a wider segment of the population.
