The Information Network Security Administration has warned users of the apps to be cautious, as fraud and account hacking activities have been increasing recently, especially targeting Telegram and WhatsApp users.

Unlike in the past, the Cyber Risk Preparedness and Response Center (Ethio-CERRT) of the Information Network Security Administration has been able to confirm that individuals' Telegram and WhatsApp accounts are being hijacked and fraud is being committed on a large scale by hackers.

It also explained that these account hijackings are carried out by sending malicious links to the targeted party and using techniques to get them to open the link.

Among these techniques is calling and persuading people to participate in an urgent meeting on Zoom or other online platforms on a very important matter, through a link sent to them, and then having their accounts hacked when they open the link and log in, he said.

After this account was hacked, they used the hacked Telegram or WhatsApp account to send text messages to the person's friends, asking them to send them money for an important matter, the statement said.