‘Facebook Global Promotion 2023’ Advance Fee Scam [Explained]

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Written by: Stelian Pilici

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Scams have been around for centuries, but with the rise of the internet, scammers have found new and creative ways to deceive unsuspecting victims. One such scam that has gained popularity in recent years is the ‘Facebook Global Promotion 2023’ advance fee scam. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of this scam, how it works, what to do if you have fallen victim, and other relevant information.

Scams

What is the ‘Facebook Global Promotion 2023’ Advance Fee Scam?

The ‘Facebook Global Promotion 2023’ advance fee scam is a type of fraud where scammers pose as representatives of Facebook and claim that the victim has won a large sum of money in a lottery or promotion. The scammers typically contact the victim through email, social media messages, or phone calls, informing them of their supposed winnings.

The scammers often use official-looking logos, email addresses, and websites to make their claims seem legitimate. They may also provide fake testimonials from previous winners to further convince the victim.

How the Scam Works

The ‘Facebook Global Promotion 2023’ advance fee scam follows a well-defined process to deceive victims and extract money from them. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how the scam typically unfolds:

  1. The victim receives a message or email claiming that they have won a large sum of money in the ‘Facebook Global Promotion 2023’ lottery or promotion.
  2. The scammers provide the victim with a contact person and email address to claim their winnings.
  3. The victim contacts the provided email address, and the scammers respond with congratulations and instructions on how to claim the prize.
  4. The scammers inform the victim that they need to pay a processing fee, taxes, or other charges before they can receive their winnings.
  5. The scammers provide the victim with payment instructions, often asking for the money to be sent via wire transfer, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency.
  6. The victim sends the requested payment to the scammers.
  7. Once the scammers receive the payment, they disappear, and the victim never receives the promised winnings.

What to Do If You Have Fallen Victim

If you have fallen victim to the ‘Facebook Global Promotion 2023’ advance fee scam, it is important to take immediate action to minimize the damage. Here are the steps you should follow:

  1. Contact your local law enforcement agency and provide them with all the details of the scam.
  2. Report the scam to your country’s consumer protection agency or fraud reporting center.
  3. If you have provided any personal or financial information to the scammers, contact your bank and credit card companies to alert them of the situation.
  4. Change your passwords for all online accounts to prevent further unauthorized access.
  5. Run a scan with Malwarebytes Free or another reputable antivirus software to check for any malware or viruses that may have been installed on your device.
  6. Be cautious of any future messages or calls claiming that you have won a lottery or promotion. Remember that legitimate organizations do not ask winners to pay fees to claim their prizes.

Protecting Yourself from Scams

While scams like the ‘Facebook Global Promotion 2023’ advance fee scam can be sophisticated and convincing, there are steps you can take to protect yourself:

  • Be skeptical of unsolicited messages or calls claiming that you have won a lottery or promotion.
  • Do not provide personal or financial information to unknown individuals or organizations.
  • Verify the legitimacy of any claims by contacting the official organization directly through their official website or customer support channels.
  • Keep your computer and mobile devices up to date with the latest security patches and antivirus software.
  • Regularly review your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.

Summary

The ‘Facebook Global Promotion 2023’ advance fee scam is a fraudulent scheme where scammers pose as representatives of Facebook and deceive victims into believing they have won a large sum of money. The scammers then request payment for processing fees or taxes, but the victims never receive the promised winnings. If you have fallen victim to this scam, it is crucial to report the incident to the authorities, contact your bank, and take steps to protect yourself from future scams. By staying vigilant and following best practices for online security, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to scams like this.

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    Ad Blocker

    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

    lock sign

    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

    cursor sign

    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.

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