Is your Facebook account at risk? Beware of the new scam affecting thousands of users!

By now, many of us are well aware of the ongoing struggle against cybercriminals trying to make a quick buck by scamming unsuspecting victims out of their hard-earned money.

Unfortunately, the ingenuity of hackers is seemingly unending and keeps on evolving with each new case of fraud we report.



Today, we have to warn our members about a ploy that’s become popular on the world’s largest social network over the last couple of months — the 'look who just died' scam.

This insidious scheme is targeting billions of Facebook users from all over the world, including here in Australia.


Screen Shot 2023-06-01 at 12.11.02 PM.png
The scam is a direct message sent from a hacker to unsuspecting Facebook users, posing as a friend. Credit: TikTok.



So, how does it work? The sinister scam, known as the 'look who just died' scheme, has hackers employing a clever ploy by masquerading as a Facebook friend you're connected with.

These hackers will send you a direct message that reads 'Look who just died' along with a link that appears to show a news article. In some cases, they will also include phrases like 'so sad' or 'I know you know him' to make sure they reel you in, where your curiosity may get the best of you.



The dangerous part comes when you click on that seemingly harmless link. As soon as you try to read the article, a prompt appears, asking for your Facebook username and password. The article about the supposed death turns out to be nothing more than a malware-infested trap designed to collect your login details and personal information.

Unsuspecting victims enter their credentials and are locked out of their accounts as the hackers take control. They then spread the scam further by targeting your list of friends and sending the same message to them.



By doing this, these scammers are not only compromising your account but accessing any personal data linked to your Facebook account, such as email addresses, phone numbers, and even birth dates. With this information, they can break into your non-Facebook accounts and potentially steal your hard-earned money if you have linked any financial information to your account.

It's crucial to remain alert and cautious, as even the best of us can be caught off guard sometimes.

This phishing scam isn't exclusive to Facebook either - experts warn that it can manifest as an email or text message too.

Key Takeaways

  • Australians are among billions of Facebook users being warned of a scam designed to steal personal information and money by claiming someone they know has died.
  • The 'look who just died' scam is the newest ploy used by hackers on the social media platform.
  • The fake news link contains malware which allows the scammer to gain access to a Facebook user's log-in details and personal information.

Remember, members, prevention is better than cure. If you receive a suspicious direct message, do not click any links. When in doubt, have a quick conversation with the friend in question to verify whether they meant to send you that message.

If you suspect that your account has been breached, change your password immediately and report the issue to Facebook.



The 'Look who just died' scheme joins a long list of other Facebook scams designed to target innocent users. Earlier this year, Facebook Marketplace shoppers had to be on high alert for a fake PayID scam, costing Aussies over $260,000 in 2022.

Stay safe out there, and always be mindful online. Share this information with your loved ones so that they, too, can protect themselves from cyber scams. We wish you happy and secure online browsing!
 
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By now, many of us are well aware of the ongoing struggle against cybercriminals trying to make a quick buck by scamming unsuspecting victims out of their hard-earned money.

Unfortunately, the ingenuity of hackers is seemingly unending and keeps on evolving with each new case of fraud we report.



Today, we have to warn our members about a ploy that’s become popular on the world’s largest social network over the last couple of months — the 'look who just died' scam.

This insidious scheme is targeting billions of Facebook users from all over the world, including here in Australia.


View attachment 21208
The scam is a direct message sent from a hacker to unsuspecting Facebook users, posing as a friend. Credit: TikTok.



So, how does it work? The sinister scam, known as the 'look who just died' scheme, has hackers employing a clever ploy by masquerading as a Facebook friend you're connected with.

These hackers will send you a direct message that reads 'Look who just died' along with a link that appears to show a news article. In some cases, they will also include phrases like 'so sad' or 'I know you know him' to make sure they reel you in, where your curiosity may get the best of you.



The dangerous part comes when you click on that seemingly harmless link. As soon as you try to read the article, a prompt appears, asking for your Facebook username and password. The article about the supposed death turns out to be nothing more than a malware-infested trap designed to collect your login details and personal information.

Unsuspecting victims enter their credentials and are locked out of their accounts as the hackers take control. They then spread the scam further by targeting your list of friends and sending the same message to them.



By doing this, these scammers are not only compromising your account but accessing any personal data linked to your Facebook account, such as email addresses, phone numbers, and even birth dates. With this information, they can break into your non-Facebook accounts and potentially steal your hard-earned money if you have linked any financial information to your account.

It's crucial to remain alert and cautious, as even the best of us can be caught off guard sometimes.

This phishing scam isn't exclusive to Facebook either - experts warn that it can manifest as an email or text message too.

Key Takeaways

  • Australians are among billions of Facebook users being warned of a scam designed to steal personal information and money by claiming someone they know has died.
  • The 'look who just died' scam is the newest ploy used by hackers on the social media platform.
  • The fake news link contains malware which allows the scammer to gain access to a Facebook user's log-in details and personal information.

Remember, members, prevention is better than cure. If you receive a suspicious direct message, do not click any links. When in doubt, have a quick conversation with the friend in question to verify whether they meant to send you that message.

If you suspect that your account has been breached, change your password immediately and report the issue to Facebook.



The 'Look who just died' scheme joins a long list of other Facebook scams designed to target innocent users. Earlier this year, Facebook Marketplace shoppers had to be on high alert for a fake PayID scam, costing Aussies over $260,000 in 2022.

Stay safe out there, and always be mindful online. Share this information with your loved ones so that they, too, can protect themselves from cyber scams. We wish you happy and secure online browsing!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jarred Santos
This is precisely why I refuse to put any apps on my phone or computer. I do not have Facebook, WhatsApp, etc. often get asked by legitimate companies to put their app on my phone - my answer is that I do not put ANY apps on my phone or computer. I have, though, received calls on landline & mobile, some actual voices but most often recordings. Recorded messages get turfed immediately and, although I sometimes will wait for a voice to speak, if there is a lag in them speaking I put the phone down. If it’s that important I’m sure they will call back immediately & identify themselves.

Never been scammed out of one single cent & hope it never happens.
 
I had this scam from a friend a few weeks ago, I messaged her I think you have been hacked and she had. Luckily I was very suspicious and didn't open it.
 

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