WhatsApp ‘martinelli’ warning is a hoax, don’t forward it

From nakedsecurity.sophos.com

Here’s a WhatsApp chain letter that’s been making the rounds:

If you know anyone using WhatsApp you might pass on this. An IT colleague has advised that a video comes out tomorrow from WhatsApp called martinelli do not open it , it hacks your phone and nothing will fix it. Spread the word. If you receive a message to update the Whatsapp to Whatsapp Gold, do not click !!!!!
Now said on the news this virus is difficult and severe

Pass it on to all

Received by a Sophos staffer, it might be easy to dismiss it offhand, given its mangled English-ish syntax.

Unfortunately, it’s only half rubbish. It’s a cocktail of one shot of bogus and one shot of authentic “yikes!” …It includes:

  1. A fictional threat: the “martinelli” video, supposedly carrying virus and mayhem.
  2. A real threat: WhatsApp Gold, a supposedly premium service offered by WhatsApp that’s anything but.

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