"Seasonal Facebook Christmas Bonus and Award Promotion" Scams

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Dec. 24, 2015

Facebook users should beware of fake messages and posts sent by scammers or cyber-criminals, claiming that they are winners in a so-called ongoing seasonal Facebook Christmas bonus promotion, in collaboration with Powerball Management. But, there is no Facebook Freedom Award promotion, lottery, Powerball or sweepstakes. So, Facebook users who have received messages or posts, even if they appeared to have been sent by friends or Facebook, should not follow the instructions in them. Facebook is not giving away money to its users and is currently not taking part in any lottery games, and any message that states otherwise, should be deleted.

How the Facebook Christmas Bonus Scam Works?

Cyber-criminals are hijacking Facebook accounts and are using the hijacked accounts to send the fake lottery, sweepstakes or promotional messages or posts to their Facebook friends, to trick the friends into believing the scam. They (cyber-criminals) are also cloning Facebook accounts and using the cloned accounts to trick the victims’ friends into accepting another friend request. Once the victims’ friends have accepted the friend request, the scammers will start sending them fake messages and posts, which they will use to trick them into sending their money, personal and financial information, by claiming they need to do so in order to receive their prizes. Scams like these are very convincing because the fake messages will appear as if they came from the victims' friends. Click here for more information about Facebook account cloning.

Remember, Facebook or other legitimate companies will never ask their users or customers to send their personal information in an email or message. So, Facebook users should bear in mind that once they are asked to send their information or money in order to claim a so-called promotional, giveaway, lottery or sweepstakes prize, should know that they are being scammed. They should also know that there are no Facebook lotteries, sweepstakes, or promotion agents.

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