Cybersecurity experts are giving a quick heads-up about a tricky scam called the ‘I can’t believe he’s gone scam.’
This sneaky scheme plays with your emotions by pretending someone you care about has passed away. It uses fake BBC branding to make it look real, DailyMail reported.
If you click on the post, it takes you to a sketchy website trying to steal your personal info. Be careful and don’t fall for it!
Decoding the ‘Facebook I can’t believe he’s gone’ scam – Tips for safe online practices
In January 2024, a concerning message has been circulating, seemingly mourning someone’s death, according to VerifyThis.com. Though the exact wording may differ, the post generally expresses disbelief such as “I can’t believe he’s gone. I’ll miss him so much,” accompanied by crying emojis and a link to another Facebook post. Multiple people are often tagged, causing recipients to question if it’s a real loss or a potential scam.
These posts, whether under the guise of “I can’t believe he’s gone” or “look who died,” are examples of phishing scams. They use links to either gather personal information or distribute harmful software.
Typically, hackers gain control of a person’s Facebook account or create a duplicate account to share a vague message about someone’s death, coupled with a link leading to another Facebook post. The intention behind this second post is to appear like a genuine news article about a tragic accident, deceiving users into clicking on the link. Stay vigilant to avoid falling victim to such scams.
Marijus Briedis, cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, said: “When you come across unexpected or alarming posts, especially those about personal emergencies, take a moment to verify their legitimacy before clicking any links.”
BBC issues warning and urges vigilance in recognizing fake content
A BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: “We urge everyone to check links and URLs to ensure they are getting news from a trusted source. When we become aware of fake BBC content we take swift action.”
Clicking on the provided link will take you through multiple redirects designed for ‘fingerprinting.’ This means the sites gather information about your browser, location, and other visited sites to redirect you to a site likely to generate profit.
Ultimately, you’ll end up on a site loaded with pop-ups that can lead to fraudulent websites, downloads of harmful software, and potentially unwanted programs. What makes this scam particularly risky is its intent to build trust.
The posts are created from accounts that hackers have taken over, making them appear to come from someone the user trusts. As shared in a Reddit post, one user detailed how their aunt’s Facebook account had been hacked, now sending out numerous ‘I can’t believe he’s gone’ posts.
