Asked to vote for a dancer in a contest? Beware of new dangerous WhatsApp scam

©Brett Jordan via Unsplash

A new scam is circulating on WhatsApp and is spreading. Seemingly harmless, it has already claimed countless victims.

The scam presents itself as a simple request for help: vote for a girl competing in a dance contest. In reality, behind the message is a real scam, officially flagged by the Italian Polizia Postale, which calls for the utmost caution.

It is one of those digital frauds that capitalize on feelings and mutual trust and turn it into a gateway for cybercriminals.

Why the message manages to deceive so many people

The mechanism is simple and effective for that very reason. The message comes from a contact we know: a friend, a family member, a colleague. The text asks people to vote for a young dancer, often accompanied by a photo and a link: "Hi, will you help me vote for good friends' daughter? Your vote could make a difference. Voting is free, only a short verification is required. A free dance class is at stake. Thank you so much!"

Nothing that immediately rings alarm bells....

But those who click on the link are redirected to a page that mimics a trusted site and asks to enter the phone number and a code received by text message. That code, however, is not a voice, but the access key to your own WhatsApp account. By entering it, you effectively hand over your profile to the scammers, who take over within seconds.

What happens once the account is stolen

Once they have access to the account, the criminals move quickly. They write to the contacts in the address book, forwarding the same message about the fake match or directly asking for money, with made-up urgencies and emergencies.

The victim is locked out of his or her own profile and cannot alert friends and family. Thus, the scam spreads like a chain reaction, abusing the identity of those who have already been tricked. According to the Polizia Postale, it's exactly this step that makes the scam so dangerous: no promises of quick profit, no immediate demand for money, only an apparent request for help.

How to protect yourself

The instructions from experts are clear and apply to any suspicious message. It's essential not to click on links that come in via WhatsApp, even if they come from known contacts, if they refer to elections, ballots, verifications or obscure external sites.

Never enter your phone number or codes received by text message on unofficial pages. If the app suddenly logs off or a notification of a login from a new device appears, do not confirm anything and proceed to restore the account immediately.

Enabling two-step verification and WhatsApp's PIN, which adds an extra layer of security also playing a decisive role. In case of suspicion that your account has been compromised, it's crucial to alert your contacts immediately and report the incident to the police.

(©CommissariatodiPS via GreenMe.it 2026/Managing Editor: Selma Keshkire - The Press Junction/Picture: ©picture alliance/dpa/dpa-POOL | Peter Kneffel)