WhatsApp is the most popular piece of downloadable messaging software in the world.
That means the client surpasses the likes of Facebook Messenger, WeChat and Skype in terms of monthly users.
As of October last year, the service was reported to have 1.5billion monthly active users, according to Statista.
However, the client has intermittently been plagued by a scam called WhatsApp Gold that promises users an upgraded version of the software with added features such as the ability to send more photos at once.
The WhatsApp Gold scam first emerged in 2016 and was displayed via messages on user devices.
Previous threads have used sentences such as “hey Finally Secret WhatsApp golden version has been leaked, This version is used only by big celebrities. Now we can use it too” to entice users into clicking the displayed link.
Once the link provided has been followed, malware is typically installed on the smartphone being used.
The latest message making the rounds appears to refer to a video being released dubbed “Martinelli” that will attempt to put a virus on user smartphones.
It then insists anyone that updates to a service called WhatsApp Gold will be infected with a “virus”.
A user on Twitter posted an image of the message in question.
It read: “Today the radio was talking bout WhatsApp Gold and it’s true.
“There is a video that will be launched tomorrow in WhatsApp and is called Martinelli.
“Do not open it. Goes into your phone and nothing you do will fix it.
“Spread the word if you know someone. If you receive a message to update WhatsApp Gold do not open it!
“They just announced that the virus is serious. Send it to everyone.”
A number of users that received the message in question have taken to social media to warn others.
One said: “I’ve been sent this warning twice today so am passing it on as better safe than sorry.
“‘If you receive a message to update WhatsApp Gold Do not open it! They just announced that the virus is serious. Send it to everyone’.”
Another wrote: “Hi just a warning from a friend of mine about a new scam called ‘WhatsApp Gold’.
“So beware of calls and texts with this in the title.
“No other details sorry.”
It is worth noting that only one version of WhatsApp exists.
Moreover, the firm used to charge an upfront fee for the service but has since disregarded such a cost.
WhatsApp regularly issues the chatting client with updates, bringing new and exciting features such as group video calling.
However, these features will automatically be added to the only version of WhatsApp, meaning users do not need to download anything manually.