A fast-spreading threat, known as the screen-sharing scam, is using a simple feature on WhatsApp to steal money and personal data, according to an analysis from the research firm ESET (published on November 5, 2025).
This scam, which takes advantage of the screen-sharing tool available since 2023, has already led to massive losses worldwide, including a case in Hong Kong where a victim lost approximately US$700,000.
The Screen-Sharing Scam
According to ESET, the scam starts with an unexpected video call from an unfamiliar number. The caller pretends to be a trusted figure, like a bank employee or a support agent from Meta, the company that owns WhatsApp.
They create a huge sense of panic, claiming your account is compromised or that there’s a fraudulent charge on your credit card. They then ask you to share your screen, or even install remote apps like AnyDesk or TeamViewer, claiming they need to ‘fix’ the issue.
As is evident, the main trick is psychological, exploiting three key elements: trust, urgency, and control. “The goal is to build trust or create panic so that you act impulsively; the scam relies less on technical wizardry and more on psychological manipulation,” ESET’s report reads.
Additionally, victims are pressured into believing there is an immediate issue that requires their attention, and in that panic, they grant the scammer full access to their phone’s screen. With that access, the scammer can easily see and steal passwords, banking details, and the crucial one-time passwords (OTPs) that pop up.
Meta Fights Back
It is worth noting that Meta is actively fighting this threat. Meta is strengthening WhatsApp’s defences with new AI-powered safety tools. The most significant update is a real-time warning system that pops up an alert when you try to share your screen during a video call with a number that is not saved in your contacts. This feature is designed to make users pause and reconsider before exposing sensitive information.
The company is also addressing the global scale of the problem with action taken against around eight million scam-linked accounts and removal of over 21,000 fake pages that were impersonating customer service representatives across various countries, including Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, the UAE, and the Philippines.
Your Best Defence
Experts warn that to stay safe online, you should never share your screen, passwords, or verification codes with strangers, no matter how convincing they sound. Always verify suspicious claims directly with banks or relatives through a separate, trusted channel. Also, enabling Two-Step Verification in your WhatsApp settings greatly helps protect your account.