WhatsApp scams cost French users average €1,024 per victim

A Kaspersky analysis, corroborated by a Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr report, found that French users of WhatsApp are among the most targeted by online scams. Victims lose an average of €1,024 each, and one‑quarter have been defrauded at least three times in the past six months. The scams typically begin with a seemingly innocuous message that uses AI to impersonate friends, family members, or well‑known brands, and then directs the recipient to a payment link. Half of the incidents are completed within 30 minutes of the initial contact. The study recorded a 159 % rise in WhatsApp‑related fraud in 2025. Experts advise users to verify suspicious requests through an alternative communication channel before sharing any payment details.