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WhatsApp of El Bodegón hacked to scam customers in Manizales

WhatsApp Business Hack Targets Manizales Distributor Customers With Bank Fraud A WhatsApp business account belonging to Manizales distributor El Bodegón was compromised by scammers who used the messaging platform to steal money from customers, employees of the company…

WhatsApp of El Bodegón hacked to scam customers in Manizales

WhatsApp Business Hack Targets Manizales Distributor Customers With Bank Fraud

A WhatsApp business account belonging to Manizales distributor El Bodegón was compromised by scammers who used the messaging platform to steal money from customers, employees of the company confirmed on Friday, October 16, 2026, as reported by LA PATRIA. The attackers hijacked the phone number 321-605-6946 to solicit unauthorized advance payments and subsequently drain victims’ bank accounts.

Fraudulent Payment Demands and Account Emptying

Employees at El Bodegón stepped forward to warn the public after discovering that unauthorized actors were messaging clients directly through the firm’s official business line. An employee explained that the perpetrators requested upfront deposits from buyers, a practice the distributor never uses. Instead, company policy dictates that all transactions operate strictly on a cash-on-delivery basis. Through this impersonation method, the hackers demanded sums starting from 400,000 pesos upwards. At least one customer complied with the fraudulent payment instructions, resulting in their personal bank account being completely emptied by the scammers.

El Bodegón Warnings and Fraud Prevention Measures

Following the security breach, company representatives issued urgent warnings to clients regarding the ongoing financial scam. El Bodegón urged customers to ignore any payment requests asking for advance transfers and to verify that all financial transactions match the official corporate account details. Employees explicitly advised the public not to transfer funds to external accounts or share sensitive banking information over messaging apps.

Frequently Asked Questions About the El Bodegón WhatsApp Hack

Which phone number belongs to the compromised El Bodegón account?

The hijacked WhatsApp business line used by the scammers is 321-605-6946, which previously belonged to the Manizales distributor El Bodegón.

When did employees confirm the security breach?

Employees of El Bodegón confirmed the hacking incident on Friday, October 16, 2026, when they contacted the news outlet LA PATRIA to issue a public warning.

What payment method does El Bodegón normally use?

The company operates exclusively on a cash-on-delivery payment model and never asks customers to provide advance deposits or sensitive banking data over messaging apps.

About the author: Anika Shah - Technology

MSc in Computer Science, senior reporter. Anika focuses on AI ethics, cybersecurity, and emerging hardware—frequently moderating panels at CES and Web Summit. “Anika Shah decodes tech breakthroughs and startup disruption shaping tomorrow’s digital landscape.”