A SCAM is spreading across WeChat where users receive a link claiming they have received money from a friend. The linked web page then prompts the user for information that is used by scammers to access the user’s bank account.

    The scam claims it is a type of red envelope, or hongbao, a popular Chinese method of giving money as a sign of good wishes.

    WeChat launched its official red envelope feature in January 2014, and it instantly proved popular.

    According to yesterday’s Shenzhen Evening News, a man surnamed Chen received a WeChat message saying that a friend of his had given him a WeChat red envelop and he had to download it on a link contained in the message.

    Chen downloaded a red envelop program from the link and followed instructions to register on the app, inputting his bank account number and password.

    Later that day, Chen received a text message from his bank. Chen found that 6,500 yuan (US$988.65) had been transferred out of his bank account.

    Chen’s friend said that he hadn’t sent the money, but many people were getting these types of messages. “He told me that it was likely a virus,” Chen said.

    A resident surnamed Liu also found a link in one of her WeChat groups, saying that a company was giving WeChat red envelopes to its clients on Christmas Eve last year.

    “I clicked on the link and it showed that I had been given 200 yuan,” said Liu, who became suspicious when she was required to input her bank account information to claim the money.

    Liu called the company and was told no such promotion was taking place.

    Lu Fuzhi, a policeman from the Shenzhen’s anti-telecom fraud center, said that a lot of groups are spreading links through WeChat to websites that steal money.

    The police remind residents to be cautious about any online service involving money. Reports can be made via 110 or 0755-81234567. (Zhang Qian)