Williams’ death used as ‘click-bait’
ESET Ireland said the scam that claims to show a ‘goodbye’ video made by Williams before he took his life last week had spread widely on the popular social utility.
When Facebook users click on the link they are told to share it with their online friends and complete a survey before they can watch the video.
Each completed survey earns the scammers a small amount of money.
The scam takes the form of a post purportedly by a user’s contacts entitled – Robin Williams says Goodbye with his phone video before suicide.
Clicking the Facebook link takes the user to a third-party website claiming to have a video that was filmed on the comic’s mobile phone in the minutes before his death.
If you click to watch the video you are informed that you first need to share the link on your Facebook wall. The scammers do this to encourage as many people as possible to go through the same process.
Instead of being shown the video, you are presented with a survey, from which the scammers behind this Facebook scam are making money.
ESET security expert Peter Stancik said each time someone completed the survey the scammers were paid an unknown sum.
“This is not the first time that a celebrity death is used as ‘click-bait’ on Facebook. The more victims that complete the survey, the more money the scammers make,” said Mr Stancik.
“And, in case you were wondering, no video is shown after completing this Facebook scam.”
Mr Stancik said users should not share or click on the scam and report any sightings of it to Facebook.
“It is a good idea to first check the links you click on social networks, and never share or like something before you have seen it yourself. Putting this in other people’s feeds is a surefire way to upset your friends,” he added.
