Fraudsters use everything from social engineering with human authentication pages to impersonating government agencies to deceive users. There would be limits to their tactics, certainly you would think they wouldn’t use someone’s death to deceive those who are grieving. Unfortunately, that’s incorrect.
A new scam has surfaced where malicious actors claim to offer video streaming of funerals of people who have recently passed away.
People who follow links to these streaming services are asked to provide credit card information and sign up for suspicious video streaming websites.
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women on facebook (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
How does fraud work?
News of this scam comes from krebs on securitywe heard from multiple victims. Usually, the targets are friends and family of the deceased. The scammers first create a Facebook group for the deceased and list the exact date and time of the funeral. It then claims that you can stream the service online by following a link that leads to a page that requests credit card information.
It’s surprisingly easy to find these fake funeral groups on Facebook. Just search for keywords like “funeral” or “stream” and you’ll get tons of pages, including pages about past services and pages about upcoming services.
These groups typically use a photo of the deceased as their profile picture and attempt to direct users to newly created video streaming websites that require credit card payment before viewing. To make matters worse, some people ask for donations in the name of the deceased.
Fake funeral streaming scam on Facebook (Krebs on Security)
Don’t fall for the “look who died” Facebook message trap
But who are these scammers?
The scammers behind these fake streaming links operate primarily in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, under a group called apkdownloadweb. They have registered multiple domains such as livestreamnow.xyz, live24sports.xyz, and onlinestreaming.xyz. Although these websites appear to offer live streams of various events such as funerals and community gatherings, they are simply a trap aimed at deceiving users.
According to an article on KrebsOnSecurity, the person allegedly connected to apkdownloadweb is Mazidul Islam, who has a background in running an IT blog. A look at his LinkedIn profile reveals this connection. The email linked to the DNS provider is reportedly associated with another person, Mohamed Mehedi Hasan, suggesting a network of fraudsters is working together.
Scammers exploit social media to create fake Facebook groups promoting links to fraudulent streaming sites. They take genuine community events and mislead people into thinking they can watch a live stream by clicking on a link.
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Illustration of fraud on Facebook (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
How to protect yourself from social media scammers
5 ways to protect yourself from Facebook link scams
1. Check the source before clicking a link. Always check the source of a link before clicking. Look for official announcements from event organizers or trusted news sources. If you see a link in a social media post, check it by visiting the organization’s official website or social media page. Scammers often use similar-sounding domain names, so double check for misspellings or changes to the end of the domain.
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links is to install antivirus software on all your devices. This protection also warns you about phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best antivirus protection products of 2024 for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
2. Enable two-factor authentication. activation two-factor authentication Online account whenever possible. This provides an extra layer of security by requiring not only a password but also a second verification method, such as a text message or an authenticator app. Even if a scammer gets your password, they’ll need a second factor to access your account.
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3. Update your password regularly. Change your passwords regularly and use strong, unique passwords for each account. This reduces the risk of multiple accounts being compromised if one password is stolen. Also, password manager Generate and save complex passwords.
4. Learn about scams: Stay informed about common online scams and how they work. Awareness is the key to prevention. Find out how scammers craft their messages and the types of offers that are usually too good to be true. Websites like the Federal Trade Commission provide resources for identifying and reporting scams, and you can always trust Cyberguy.com.
5. Report suspicious activity. If you come across a fake streaming link or suspicious post, please report it to the platform where you found it. Most social media sites have mechanisms for reporting fraud and abuse. Reports help keep others safe by alerting you to potential threats on the platform. Additionally, consider sharing your experience with friends and family so they can stay informed and alert.
Ghost Hacking: How to protect yourself from scams from beyond the grave
Cart important points
Scammers have no mercy towards anyone. This latest Facebook funeral scam should make that clear. They try to take advantage of someone’s death and profit from those who are grieving. This is very upsetting, but it’s a reminder that you can’t let your guard down as you navigate the darkness of the internet. Always be careful about the links you click, even if they seem completely safe.
Do you think Facebook is doing enough to protect you from scams like funeral scams? Email us. Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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