PROJECT: WHATSAPP'S NEW PRIVACY FEATURE
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
PLEASE SHARE THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT
A MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN FIGHTING DIGITAL CRIME
Cybercrime continues to cost South Africans billions of Rand every year.
Criminals increasingly use WhatsApp to identify, contact and manipulate victims through impersonation scams,
investment fraud, romance scams, extortion, sextortion, phishing attacks and social engineering.
Criminals often require nothing more than a victim's cellphone number to begin targeting them.
Recognising these risks, WhatsApp has announced one of its most significant privacy updates to date.
Users will soon be able to communicate using unique usernames instead of revealing their cell phone numbers to strangers.
The new system allows people to connect while keeping their personal phone number private,
giving users far greater control over who has access to their personal information.
Usernames are currently being rolled out globally and can be reserved before the feature becomes widely available.
WHY IS THIS CHANGE BEING INTRODUCED?
For years, WhatsApp has required users to exchange mobile numbers before communicating.
While convenient, this created an opportunity for criminals to collect personal information and use it in various scams.
Once a criminal has your cellphone number, they may attempt to:
Add you to fraudulent investment groups.
Conduct phishing attacks.
Pretend to be your bank, courier company or SARS.
Build personal profiles for identity theft.
Send malicious links or malware.
Harvest numbers for spam campaigns.
Sell your personal information to criminal syndicates.
The new username system is specifically designed to reduce unnecessary exposure of your personal cellphone number while still allowing people to communicate safely.
WhatsApp has also confirmed there will not be a public directory of usernames, making it more difficult for criminals to search for potential victims.
CRIMES THIS FEATURE MAY HELP REDUCE:
Although no technology can eliminate crime completely, this update could significantly reduce opportunities for criminals involved in:
Identity theft.
Social engineering attacks.
Phishing scams.
WhatsApp impersonation fraud.
Romance scams.
Sextortion.
Cryptocurrency and investment scams.
Employment scams.
Advance-fee fraud.
Blackmail and extortion.
Spam and mass-marketing scams.
Criminal intelligence gathering.
By limiting the exposure of personal cellphone numbers, criminals lose one of their easiest methods of identifying and targeting potential victims.
WHAT YOU SHOULD STILL REMEMBER:
Even with these improvements, criminals will continue adapting their methods.
Always remember:
Never trust someone simply because they contacted you on WhatsApp.
Verify the identity of anyone requesting money.
Never click suspicious links.
Never share One-Time Passwords (OTPs).
Enable Two-Step Verification on your WhatsApp account.
Be cautious when joining unknown WhatsApp groups.
Block and report suspicious accounts immediately.
At Specialised Security Services (SSS), we welcome any technology that strengthens personal privacy
and makes it harder for criminals to exploit ordinary citizens.
However, technology alone cannot prevent crime.
The strongest defence remains an informed, vigilant and cautious public.
Criminals constantly evolve their tactics, and every South African should remain alert when communicating online,
regardless of the platform they use.
Protect your personal information as carefully as you protect your wallet, your bank card and the keys to your home.
In today's digital world, your cellphone number has become one of your most valuable pieces of personal information.
If you suspect you have become the victim of cybercrime, fraud, identity theft or online extortion,
contact the South African Police Service immediately. Victims requiring professional investigative assistance are encouraged
to contact Mr. Mike Bolhuis of Specialised Security Services (SSS) and his team of Specialist Investigators,
who have extensive experience in investigating complex cybercrime, fraud and organised criminal activity.
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.
This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.
How to Join the WhatsApp Channel:
1. Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.
2. Click on the link below to join the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel:
3. Follow the prompts to join the channel.
4. Make sure you click on "Follow", then click on the "bell"-icon (🔔)
CONTACT MR MIKE BOLHUIS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, PROTECTION, OR AN INVESTIGATION IF NEEDED.
ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENTIALITY AND EVERY IDENTITY WILL BE PROTECTED.
Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
Fax: 086 585 4924
Follow us on Facebook to view our projects -
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.
STANDARD RULES APPLY: Upon appointment, we require a formal mandate with detailed instructions. Please take note that should you not make use of our services – you may not under any circumstance use my name or the name of my organisation as a means to achieve whatever end.
POPI ACT 4 of 2013 South Africa: Mike Bolhuis' "Specialised Security Services" falls under Section 6 of the act. Read more here: https://mikebh.link/fntdpv
SSS TASK TEAM:
Copyright © 2015- PRESENT | Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services | All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services
PO Box 15075 Lynn East
Pretoria, Gauteng 0039
South Africa
Add us to your address book
THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT WAS INTENDED TO BE SHARED, PLEASE DO SO.