A message is being widely shared on Whatsapp and social media, which claims that some hackers will start circulating a video on WhatsApp which will show that the Covid19 curve is flattening in India. It further claims that the file, named “India is doing it”, will hack the user’s phone.
The viral message read: “Cyber threat They are going to start circulating a video on WhatsApp that shows how the Covid19 curve is flattening in India. The file is called “India is doing it”, do not open it or see it, it hacks your phone in 10 seconds and it cannot be stopped in any way. Pass the information on to your family and friends. Now they also said it on TV news.”
View the above post here. More posts here, here and here.
The viral message is being widely shared on WhatsApp.
FACT CHECK
NewsMobile fact-checked the above message and found it to be FAKE.
We started our investigation by running keywords such as ‘Covid19 curve’, ‘flattening in India’, ‘India is doing it’, ‘WhatsApp’, through a Google search. We didn’t find any authentic report or bulletin on any TV channel as mentioned in the viral message.
WhatsApp in its ‘Security‘ section, has explained how to look for hoax messages. We found that the viral message matched two of the characteristics of hoax messages.
- The message content includes instructions to forward the message (Pass the information on to your family and friends.)
- The message claims you can avoid punishment, like account suspension, if you forward the message (it hacks your phone in 10 seconds and it cannot be stopped in any way)
On digging further, we found several such WhatsApp forwards scaring users of possible hacking attempts.
Moreover, we also checked the social media account and official government websites but did not find any such notice regarding this.
NewsMobile has earlier debunked a similar hoax message circulating on WhatsApp in the name of Argentina. Read the fact check here.
https://newsmobile.in/articles/2020/07/19/fact-check-dont-fall-for-argentina-is-doing-it-hoax-forward-about-hacking-of-smartphones/
In conclusion, it is safe to say that the viral message in circulation is FAKE and should not be taken seriously.
If you want to fact-check any story, WhatsApp it now on +91 11 7127 9799
Error: Contact form not found.
Click here for Latest News updates and viral videos on our AI-powered smart news