Fraudulent activity on platforms like Facebook is steadily increasing in the digital age where social media and online interactions are an integral part of our daily lives. A long-standing trend is the creation of countless fake profiles and pages specifically designed to mislead users with fake advertisements, also known as “sponsored posts.”
How do fraudsters work with fraudulent advertisements?
The tactics used by these scammers are varied. In some cases, they pose as celebrities and use their “face” to lure users into Bitcoin fraud schemes. In other cases, they use official logos of TV stations, newspapers or popular shows like “ Lion's Den ” to emphasize their credibility and trick users into buying their fake products or services.
In some of the boldest scams, they even pose as Amazon affiliates, luring users into purchasing low-cost Amazon pallets and tricking them into revealing their payment information. Others create fake missing child reports that seem harmless at first glance, but are actually used to phish users' Facebook account login details.
The process
The fraudsters who cause mischief on Facebook use a sophisticated mix of psychology and technical tricks. Their main goal is to create trust, trick users into clicking on their links and ultimately steal personal or financial information. Below are some of the specific techniques they use:
Fake profiles and pages: The scammers first create fake Facebook profiles and pages. These can pose as celebrities, official media channels or even as partners of well-known companies such as Amazon. They do this to build credibility and trust with users. These fake profiles and pages are usually created using photos that have been stolen or found online, or are taken over accounts that have fallen victim to a phishing attack.
Fake Advertisements: After the fake pages are created, the scammers start publishing sponsored posts or fake advertisements. These ads often promise incredible offers or exclusive opportunities that don't actually exist. This tactic is intended to trick users into clicking on the ad and going to the fake website.
Fake websites: Scammers often create fake websites that look like official media websites or legitimate online stores. These websites are usually perfectly designed and may even include security certificates to give the appearance of legitimacy. These websites then ask users to enter their personal or financial information, often under the guise of signing up for an exclusive offer or purchasing a product.
Phishing techniques: In some cases, scammers also use phishing techniques. They create fake missing person reports or other emotional posts aimed at tricking users into giving up their Facebook credentials. These posts often look like they come from trusted sources and encourage users to click on a link for more information or to help.
The combination of these techniques allows fraudsters to deceive many users and steal their personal and financial information. It is therefore important to always be vigilant and verify information before clicking on links or sharing personal information online.
Despite the costs associated with placing sponsored posts, it is undoubtedly worthwhile for scammers to invest in these fraudulent activities. This is because of the potentially high return they can make if they manage to steal personal or financial information from unsuspecting users. Fraudsters can make significant profits by selling stolen data or misusing identities. This also applies if users fall into so-called Bitcoin traps or become victims of investment fraud .
The fact that Facebook does not always respond immediately to fraudulent activity may be due to various factors. The platform uses complex algorithms and systems to detect and remove fraudulent accounts and content. However, due to the large number of users and content interacting on Facebook every day, it may take time to detect and take appropriate action on fraudulent activity.
How can you protect yourself?
Think before you click, caution and vigilance are the best ways to protect yourself from these fraudulent activities.
- Check the source: Before clicking on an ad, check the profile or page that posted it. If it's new, has little content, or has few friends, it could be a fraudulent profile.
- Be critical: If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be especially wary of offers that promise quick wealth, such as Bitcoin investments or extremely cheap goods.
- Fact-check: For posts about missing people or other pressing matters, fact-check with reputable news sources before sharing or responding to them.
- Don't share your information carelessly: Never share your personal information, including your social media credentials or payment information, with an unknown source.
- Use the reporting function: If you come across fraudulent content, report it to Facebook immediately. This helps protect other users and makes the platform more secure.
By staying vigilant and following these steps, you can make a significant contribution to the security of your online experience and help others do the same. Don't be fooled by scammers.
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

