Is the 'Pegasus Spyware Activated' message on my Apple phone a legitimate virus warning or a scam?

NO. This is a scam message and you CANNOT have a virus on your iPhone. The number doesn't belong to Apple, but they sure are hoping you'll call them and pay for software/tools you don't need for an issue you don't have. Apple doesn't EVER send such messages. Ignore them. Delete the Message, Block them and whatever website you visited which makes money from scammers, should be avoided.

Read this --> Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

Re: “The number doesn't belong to Apple, but they sure are hoping you'll call them and pay for software/tools you don't need for an issue you don't have.”

At the very least! The message is from criminals, and once a victim gives them bank account or credit card account information, they might be tempted to steal more than just the price of some worthless “security” app. They might, e.g., sell the victim’s name and account information to other criminals looking for an easy score.

Then there would be the question of whether the “security” app that the victim installed was actually spyware. E.g. if it offered a VPN that supposedly provided privacy, but in fact gave the VPN operator a way to monitor the victim’s browsing habits for sale to advertisers.

Scam. Apple will never send a message like this.

The 844-375.... number has nothing to do with Apple, so if you call that number, it is direct line to the scammers, who will gather information about your phone to lock it, then demand a ransom to unlock it.

Of course.....even if a user pays the ransom, there is no guarantee that the phone will be unlocked.

Scam. As the US. Federal Trade Commission says, “If you get this kind of pop-up window on your computer, don’t call the number. Real security warnings and messages will never ask you to call a phone number.”

https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-tech-support-scams

Sharlem wrote:

Message says I have been infected with Pegasus spyware and to cal 877-***-**21.

is this true or a spam notification!

sam*****05@gmail.com

Scam.

U. S. Federal Trade Commission – How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Tech Support Scams

"Tech support scammers may try to trick you with a pop-up window that appears on your computer screen. It might look like an error message from your operating system or antivirus software, and it might use logos from trusted companies or websites. The message in the window warns you about a security issue on your computer and tells you to call a phone number to get help.

…

If you get this kind of pop-up window on your computer, don’t call the number. Real security warnings and messages will never ask you to call a phone number."

Sharlem wrote:

Message says I have been infected with Pegasus spyware and to cal 877-***-**21.

is this true or a spam notification!

sam*****05@gmail.com

Irony Alert: A key feature of Pegasus spyware is that it is totally undetectable, so if you see a message that says your iPhone is infected it has to be bogus!

Sharlem wrote:

Message says I have been infected with Pegasus spyware and to cal 877-***-**21.

is this true or a spam notification!

sam*****05@gmail.com

[Edited by Moderator]

It is a scam. Read the other messages in the thread you posted to, and, in the future, it would be a good practice to read other messages in a thread before added a post that has alreay been answered multiple times.

Message says I have been infected with Pegasus spyware and to cal 877-***-**21.

is this true or a spam notification!

sam*****05@gmail.com

[Edited by Moderator]