Users are tricked into installing a rogue Facebook app and other malicious software

Oct 24, 2013 06:49 GMT  ·  By

Celebrity death hoaxes are not uncommon. However, over the past days, such scams have been used to lure unsuspecting users to rogue applications.

Hoax Slayer has identified two messages that claim that Celine Dion has died. One of them appears to be breaking news from CNN and reads something like this: “Her heart will go on? Celine Dion DIED! Watch the full video! Due to the graphic content of this video, please be advised 18+ only.”

Another scam message reads: “Hollywood Breaking News – R.I.P Celine Dion At about 11 a.m. ET on Sunday (October 20, 2013), Celine Dion died in a plane crash. The culprit for the story is Global Associated, aka Mediafetcher. ‘Celine Dion presumed dead in private plane crash’, Global claims that Celine died today at ‘Denver Peak-Regional Airport’.

A small private aircraft in distress ceased radio contact with the control tower and fell below radar frequency after reporting engine trouble and smoke in the cockpit. Actress, Celine Dion was believed to have been a passenger on the flight.

Raw footage of her accident has been recorded and leaked to fox news but cannot be broadcasted over the air so it was uploaded via the internet for the public to view. Due to the graphic content of this video, please be advised 18+ only. Watch Full Exclusive Video–>”

Of course, Celine Dion is not dead and there’s no video. The links from the posts point to a website where users are instructed to install a Facebook application that’s allegedly needed to view the video.

Once it’s installed, the rogue Facebook app starts reposting the death hoax messages on users’ timelines. In addition, it might also trick internauts into installing malicious programs, and take part in bogus surveys.

Never install applications and never take part in any surveys in order to gain access to some content, or to win prizes. If a celebrity really dies, you’ll probably learn about it from reputable news websites.