WhatsApp, Instagram screen sharing scam: What is it and why is it dangerous enough to bankrupt you in seconds

Fraud

Digital scams in India are evolving rapidly, and one of the newest threats involves a trick called screen sharing fraud. So much so, that banks and other financial institutions have already started warning their users about this newly evolving scam in the market. This scam -- mainly aims at your bank balance and how they can empty them.  To make this possible fraudsters are now misusing features like screen sharing on WhatsApp and Instagram video calls to gain real-time access to sensitive data, including banking information. But you need to beware, that this is not just limited to WhatsApp and Instagram. Fraudsters can leverage this using any other platform that offers screen sharing feature.

And, if you are worried and want to know more about the screensharing scam, here's our detailed guide for you.

How the scam works?

The fraud begins with a phone call from someone pretending to be an official from a trusted company, often a bank or financial service. The caller creates panic by claiming there is an urgent issue with your account. To resolve it, the scammer persuades you to share your phone screen with them over a WhatsApp or Instagram video call.

Once screen sharing is enabled, the fraudster can watch everything you do on your device in real time. If you open a banking app and type in your PIN, password, or OTP, the scammer immediately records it. In more sophisticated cases, they may trick you into installing a malicious app containing a keylogger, which silently tracks everything you type. With this information, criminals can take over bank accounts, e-wallets, and even social media profiles—leading to financial losses within seconds.

What makes it so dangerous?

According to cybersecurity experts, most Indian banking apps now include security layers such as screen capture blocking, secure overlays, and session timeouts. However, not all protections are foolproof. If users unknowingly grant screen-sharing permissions, even advanced app-level controls can be bypassed. On compromised or rooted devices, the risks are even higher.

This makes the scam particularly dangerous because once access is given, fraudsters don’t just see what you type—they also gain insight into how you use your phone, from payment apps to stored passwords.

How to protect yourself?

Authorities and banks recommend a few critical dos and don’ts to stay safe:

Dos:
• Verify the identity of any caller claiming to represent a bank or financial company.
• Allow screen-sharing only with trusted contacts and only when absolutely necessary.
• Disable “install apps from unknown sources” on Android devices.
• Report suspicious numbers to cybercrime.gov.in or by calling 1930.

Don’ts:
• Never use mobile banking, UPI, or wallet apps while screen sharing.
• Avoid answering calls from unknown or suspicious numbers.
• Do not share private details like account numbers, PINs, or OTPs through WhatsApp or Instagram.
• Never trust messages claiming to be from WhatsApp or Instagram demanding payment.