Old trick, reworked: Facebook users are contacted by “Mark Zuckerberg” or a “Facebook employee” because they have won the Facebook lottery.
Be careful, however, even if these employees or the alleged Zuckerberg identify themselves, this lottery and therefore the promised prize does not exist. And of course it's not Zuckerberg writing on the other end, but a fraudster.
However, this is a blatant rip-off. This method tries to lure money out of Facebook users' pockets, because such alleged profits always end up with payments from the user that have to be transferred in advance. This fraud method also has a name: advance payment fraud, or scam.

About scamming
Our cooperation partner Watchlist Internet describes scams as follows: Criminals contact Internet users and demand advance payments from them for promised services. The promised benefits can be, for example, a large inheritance, a dream apartment or a payout of winnings. The perpetrators give numerous reasons why further payment of money is required. However, there is no return promised.
At the beginning of the scamming, criminals write to Internet users via social networks or by email. It is also possible for you to advertise cheap products or apartments on classified advertising platforms. Your goal is to get feedback from possible victims. In order for this to happen, they promise, for example, a high inheritance or very low-priced product offerings. Another possibility is the start of a supposed internet romance.
The victim reacts
As soon as the people addressed show a reaction, the criminals have achieved their first goal: they know that their counterpart actually exists. So that no suspicion arises, they tell something about themselves and ask the recipients to do the same. This is followed by a request to provide personal data, such as your own address, bank details or telephone number.

Demand for money was raised
As soon as the perpetrators know more about their possible victim, they demand money to be paid abroad. This should usually be done using cash transfer service providers such as Western Union or Moneygram. The reason for this is simple: this type of transfer allows criminals to receive the money immediately after the transfer. To do this, they request a copy of a payment receipt that contains all the information required to receive the money.
Reasons for demanding money
Depending on the type of advance payment fraud, the perpetrators can justify the first payment of money by saying that legal assistance has to be paid for the transfer of the inheritance, that interested parties have to pay a deposit for viewing the apartment or that they need financial support for a plane ticket they can visit their amorous acquaintance.
Further monetary payments necessary
When the victim makes the first payment of money, the criminals have already enriched themselves financially: the promised rewards are not available in return. The criminals give further reasons why the recipients should transfer money abroad again. This could be, for example, contract setup fees, problems with customs or financial support.
No end in sight
The criminals continue to demand monetary payments until the other person realizes that there is nothing in return. From this moment on they go into hiding and are no longer accessible to their victim. What remains is lost money. What makes matters worse is that the perpetrators have personal information about their victim. They can use this to commit crimes under other people's names.
Scamming explained graphically
How you can recognize scamming.
What do you do in the event of damage?
If you come across scammers, immediately break off all contact with the perpetrators. Report the crime to the police and discuss what action is necessary to ensure that you do not suffer further harm. Check regularly - for example using a search engine - whether your data has been published on the Internet. If this is the case, write to the website operator and request that the entries be deleted.
Summary
You can recognize scamming or advance payment fraud when strangers contact you, demand that you disclose personal data and demand money transfers abroad using false facts.
Related Links:
- Watchlist Internet: This is how you can protect yourself from scams
- Watchlist Internet: If you have fallen for a scammer?*
- Watchlist Internet: Scamming
Source: Wahtchlist Internet
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