Have YOU been conned? Vile Facebook scammers are pretending to be users’ loved ones to trick them into sending money
- New scam is tricking Facebook users into believing friends are messaging them
- Scammers acting as ‘friends’ tell victims about how they can get ‘free’ money
- Police are urging users to delete messages immediately and call friends to check
Social media users have been warned to watch out for online scammers pretending to be loved ones.
In the elaborate scam, conmen are sending victims Facebook messages which look as though they are sent by loved ones.
The fake friend or family member tells them they have won money through a competition or have got a government grant through a one-off nominal payment.
The user is then encouraged to send money so they can get the same reward.
Police are urging Facebook users to delete the message immediately to not fall victim to the scam.
In the elaborate scam, conmen are sending victims Facebook messages which look as though they are sent by loved ones (stock image)
The scam can occur in two ways – a scammer hacking into a friends account or by creating a ‘copy’ profile where images and information have been stolen.
‘Because the message is from someone you ‘know’ the scammers hope you’ll trust what they’re telling you,’ Queensland Police said.
Police understand this scam is the latest version of the ‘Advanced Free Fraud’ as victims are required to pay an upfront fee for tax or processing allowing them to obtain the ‘free’ money.
In other versions of the scam, victims are tricked into giving personal information by clicking on a link and asking for bank details, dates of birth and your address.
‘Never click on a link sent to you in this way, you could be infecting your computer with malware,’ QLD police said.
Facebook users are urged to call their friends if they have doubts about messages they receive from a Facebook friend – to save themselves time and money.
Facebook users are urged to call their friends if they have doubts about messages they receive from a Facebook friend – to save themselves time and money (stock image)