German users warned of new PayPal and WhatsApp fraud schemes

Cybercriminals are targeting PayPal customers in Germany with phishing emails that claim a refund is due. One variant promises €95.66, another alleges a €909 payment to Digistore24 GmbH and urges recipients to click a link to a counterfeit PayPal‑styled website and enter personal data. Authorities advise users not to follow any links or buttons in such messages and to mark the emails as spam.

The Flensburg police have also issued a warning about a WhatsApp fraud method. Attackers obtain access to a victim’s account by tricking the user into scanning a QR code or entering a PIN on a fake verification page. Once in control, they send messages to the victim’s contacts requesting money. Users are urged to verify suspicious requests by phone, avoid unknown links, enable two‑step verification, and regularly review linked devices in WhatsApp settings.