EXPOSED: HOW FAKE ICT CALLS ARE TRICKING STUDENTS INTO WHATSAPP HACKS

EXPOSED: HOW FAKE ICT CALLS ARE TRICKING STUDENTS INTO WHATSAPP HACKS

Segio Campus Reports has uncovered a cunning scam currently targeting unsuspecting students through fraudulent phone calls.

How the Scam Works

1. The Call – Students receive a call from an unknown number. The caller introduces himself as an ICT officer from their institution.

2. The Claim – He insists that the student must “verify” their results with the ICT office using their last school fees receipt and academic results. He adds pressure by claiming failure to do so could prevent graduation.

3. False Help – Pretending to be “helpful,” he says he will prepare a letter that must be signed by the student’s HOD to complete the process.

4. The Trap – He asks the student to come to school urgently, claiming he has reserved a spot at his office. Shortly after, he says the student will receive a “code” (via SMS or WhatsApp) that must be read out immediately as an entry pass.

5. The Reality – That so-called “code” is not from the school at all—it is a WhatsApp verification code. If the student reads it aloud or give him or her through call, the scammer WILL instantly hijack their WhatsApp account.

Why It’s Dangerous

Once your WhatsApp is hacked, scammers can impersonate you, request money from your contacts, and steal sensitive information.

Students could unknowingly expose personal details (fees receipts, results, matric numbers) that may be misused for identity fraud.

The scam uses urgency and authority (“ICT office,” “graduation risk”) to confuse victims into acting without thinking.

Safety Tips for Students

Never share verification codes (WhatsApp, SMS OTP, banking tokens) with anyone not even supposed “school officials.”

Be suspicious of calls from unknown numbers claiming to be from ICT, Registry, or Finance without official communication.

ICT offices will never request verification codes over the phone. All verifications are done through official portals or physical offices with proper documentation.

If in doubt, hang up immediately and contact your institution’s ICT office through the official school website or helpdesk.

Enable two-step verification on WhatsApp for added security.

Final Note

Segio Campus Reports advises all students across campuses to stay alert. This is only one of many formats scammers use. Today it may be ICT verification, tomorrow it could be clearance, graduation list confirmation, or bursary updates.

Always think twice before sharing personal information or codes, your vigilance is the best defense.