14 DAY TRIAL // Cyber crooks rely on clickbaiting to attract a large number of victims into the trap, and a video scam currently running on Facebook is definitely piquing the interest of those exposed to it as there is little information available on what they are invited to see.
The post is said to be viral on the social network at the moment and promises to show a girl with an unusually large pimple trying to get rid of it.
Access to the video is granted, but the price is too much
Curiosity killed the cat and in this case there is no exception, either, as when attempting to watch the footage, the potential victim is asked to install an app with rather dubious permissions.
One of the requests made by the web app is to have access to the user’s profile, while another is to post on the owner’s behalf, Hoax-Slayer says. If installation is granted, the Facebook account can basically be used by an untrusted entity to promote whatever it wants.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, though, because the real deceit that generates profit to the cyber crooks has not been deployed yet.
It appears that if the user allows the app the aforementioned actions, they will be served a YouTube video of a girl popping pimples (video below), as well as another one, which does not run and claims that an update needs to be installed for it to play.
Scam hits user with a double-whammy
Obviously, this is the scammy part, and the update is a potentially dangerous file that could affect the integrity of the computer and the information it stores. On the same note, the item could be part of an affiliate marketing scheme that pays the promoter for each software installation.
The crooks tried to cover as many angles as possible, and in some cases the user is redirected to a website hosting online surveys. Personal information such as phone number and email address is required. This could be used in future malicious activities like spamming or phishing.
Posts advertising incredible stories or rare videos on a social network should be regarded with suspicion as cyber criminals are constantly trying to find a better bait for their victims.
The pimple popping video is real, but please note that discretion is recommended when viewing this video because of its content, which may be deemed disturbing:
