In a concerning wave of cyberattacks, hackers have compromised the WhatsApp accounts of several school and college principals. These scammers are impersonating principals to solicit money from students and their parents, raising alarm among educational authorities.
In response, Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) and Ministry of Education have issued directives to school and college principals, urging them to inform parents and students about the fraudulent activity to prevent further scams.
FDE Director Urban Institutions, M. Qamaruddin, has disseminated warnings to educational institutions, emphasizing the need for vigilance. One such message, shared by Islamabad Model Colleges for Boys (IMCB), I-10/1, cautioned parents against falling victim to these scams.
The message highlighted that hackers are impersonating principals and education officials, falsely requesting monetary deposits under fabricated pretenses. It clarified that the Ministry of Education does not solicit payments via WhatsApp or similar platforms, making such requests fraudulent.
There is a significant risk that scammers may escalate their activities by contacting parents directly, posing as principals and inventing reasons for financial contributions. To counter this, schools have been instructed to reassure parents that no funds are ever requested through unofficial channels.
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, WhatsApp and other social media platforms became vital tools for communication between teachers, students, and parents. While these platforms helped streamline remote learning, they also opened the door to cyber threats, such as the current scam.
The FDE has urged parents and institutions to adopt the following precautionary measures:
- Be cautious of unsolicited messages or calls claiming to be from school authorities.
- Verify any such requests directly with the school or college administration.
- Avoid transferring money to unknown accounts based on WhatsApp communications.
Parents and institutions are also encouraged to report phishing attempts and suspicious messages to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) online complaint cell or Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for prompt action.
This incident underscores the growing need for robust cybersecurity awareness within educational institutions, as cyber threats continue to target vulnerable communication channels. Schools, students, and parents must remain vigilant and report any unusual activity to safeguard against financial and data losses.
Source: Dawn News
