A friend messaged from a new number asking for urgent money — real?

Often not — use Friend in Emergency tool. Scammers hack or clone WhatsApp accounts, or impersonate relatives from new numbers ('lost my phone, send ₹20,000 urgently'). Always call the person on their old saved number or video-call a known contact before sending money. Ask a question only they would know. Genuine emergencies are rare; urgency plus new number is a classic pattern.