Dpec energy users in Argentina targeted by WhatsApp scams

A digital scam targeting users of the Dirección Provincial de Energía de Corrientes (Dpec) in Argentina has been identified. Fraudsters are using paid advertisements on Facebook and Instagram to lure victims with false promises of a 50% discount for 24 months, specifically targeting retirees, pensioners, and public employees.

The scheme involves redirecting users to WhatsApp chats using the Dpec logo to simulate official communication. Once in contact, criminals use video calls to pressure victims into enabling their phone’s “screen sharing” function under the guise of applying the discount or updating user details. This allows them to monitor sensitive information, such as home banking credentials and digital wallet access, in real time to facilitate unauthorized transfers.

When victims show resistance, scammers often resort to intimidation, citing urgent debts or threats of service disconnection. If blocked, the perpetrators frequently change their profile pictures to impersonate other entities, such as Mercado Pago, to continue their operations.