14 DAY TRIAL // Around one year ago, an airplane crashed into a highway just outside of Moscow. At the time, a video showing a driver’s perspective started making the rounds on Youtube. Now, the topic is being used for a Facebook scam.
The scam starts with Facebook posts entitled “Huge plane crashes into bridge,” which read, “Huge plane crashes into a bridge, watch this terrible accident. 18+ only!”
In reality, users don’t get to see any videos. According to security expert Graham Cluley, users who click on the link contained in the Facebook post are taken to a page where they’re asked to share the “video” in order to gain access to the content.
After victims share the post on their own timeline, they’re asked to complete various surveys.
The fact that users share the post means they’re simply helping the scammers with their operation. Furthermore, every time a survey is completed, the individuals who run the scheme make a certain amount of money via affiliate services.
In some cases, users are asked to hand over personal information, such as phone numbers. By entering their phone numbers, they are actually signing up for premium mobile services.
In other scenarios, cybercriminals can trick internauts into installing all sorts of malicious or shady applications.
If you’re a victim of this scam, remove the post from your timeline. If you’ve entered your phone number, you’re likely signed up for a premium mobile service. Check out the website on which you’ve provided your number since it likely contains instructions on how to unsubscribe.
You can also try filing a complaint against the service in question since its operations are probably not 100% legitimate, despite the fact that its site contains all sorts of disclaimers.