Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

"Happy Birthday" Facebook Like-Farming Scams
Happy Birthday Facebook Like-Farming Scams

Instead of asking Facebook users to type "Amen," Facebook scammers are now asking them to comment or type "Happy Birthday" on fake Facebook posts. Therefore, Facebook users are asked to be aware of scammers who are posting pictures of sick or injured children or adults on Facebook, to trick them into commenting on them by typing "Happy Birthday," in order to make them popular. This type of activity is called a Like-Farming scam, and the photos in them are being used without the owners' consent. The heartless and deceitful people who are tricking Facebook users into typing "Happy Birthday" are only taking advantage of caring Facebook users, who think they are helping out, by playing with their consciences.

The messages below are just some of the few examples used by deceitful Facebook users to trick other Facebook users into commenting on their fake posts:

  • "Yesterday was my daughters birthday but no one wished them a happy birthday. Is that fair?"
  • "Do not scroll without typing Happy Birthday."
  • "This little survivor angel beat cancer <3. She is 3 years today. Please do not scroll without typing 'Happy Birthday.'"
  • "Her friends at work told her that no one would say happy birthday to her because she is sick :( She is 23 years old today. Do not scroll without typing 'Happy Birthday.'"
  • "Happy birthday 12 years today. Do not scroll without typing 'Happy Birthday.'"

Scammers use the posts to gather up potential victims. Once they have enought Facebook users, they will start sending them spam (unsolicited messages) with links that will take potential victims to phishing websites that will steal their information, or malicious links that will take them to dangerous websites that will infect their computers with Spyware or Trojan horse. The scammers may also send fraudulent messages claiming that their potential victims are so-called lottery winners and they need to send money in order to claim their prizes.

Also, if you have received a message stating Facebook will donate money to a child if you like, share or comment on some content, please do not follow the instructions in the message, instead, report it to Facebook. And, if you have already commented on Facebook posts with sick, starving and injured children, adults or animals that you are not able to determine the legitimacy of, please click here for instructions on how to remove those posts from your Facebook Wall and Timeline.

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