Unscrupulous Facebook Scam Offering Discounts on Local Transportation Services
A troubling trend has emerged on social media platform Facebook, as over 1,000 fake public transportation pages have been identified, affecting users in more than 700 cities and regions across 60 countries worldwide [1]. These fraudulent pages, which are primarily found in France, Spain, the UK, and Germany, are part of a broader problem of fake accounts and impersonation on social media platforms.
According to a report by Meta (Facebook's parent company), around 3% of its worldwide monthly active users on Facebook are fake accounts [1]. These fake accounts can post spammy content, engage in fake engagement, and potentially include those impersonating public transportation entities.
The fraudulent pages on Facebook are using phishing sites to collect credit card payment details under the guise of offering discounted tickets or even multi-month free subscriptions [2]. The analysis by Spanish fact-checking organization Maldita.es reveals that these websites are hosted on just two IP addresses, which are owned by a Russian provider [2]. The criminals behind these pages are attempting to phish payment data from Facebook users, and users are urged not to click on any links found on these fraudulent pages to avoid potential phishing scams.
If you have been a victim of the phishing scam, it is crucial to file a report with your local police or the online police station responsible for your area [3]. The fraudulent pages are not official public transportation pages and should be reported to Facebook as well. It is essential to note that these fraudulent pages are not limited to specific cities or regions within the affected countries.
Phishing scams impersonating transportation agencies have also been documented in the U.S., notably targeting motor carriers with fake Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) documents [3]. The scam tactics include using fake official-looking documents and threatening language to trick recipients.
While specific data on fake public transportation pages alone is not detailed in the search results, the broader issue of fake Facebook accounts and impersonations is global [1]. Fake news and disinformation on Facebook, which can include fake pages, have been particularly noted in the U.S. political context but are recognized globally [2][4].
In conclusion, the issue of fake public transportation pages on Facebook used for phishing scams is a significant concern, but data is limited on its exact scale and the most affected countries beyond examples in the U.S. Within the wider context of Facebook-wide fake accounts and impersonations, it is crucial for users to remain vigilant and avoid clicking on suspicious links. Report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities and Facebook to help combat this growing problem.
- The cybersecurity concern of phishing scams impersonating public transportation entities on Facebook extends beyond the U.S., affecting users across multiple countries, as evidenced by the identification of over 1,000 fake public transportation pages in 60 countries.
- In the realm of general-news, it's important to recognize that the proliferation of fake accounts and impersonations on social media platforms, like Facebook, can lead to instances of crime and justice, such as the phishingscams targeting Facebook users under the guise of offering discounted or free public transportation services.
