Facebook offering transport discounts through phishing scams
In the digital age, phishing scams continue to pose a significant threat, with cybercriminals using various tactics to gain access to sensitive information. These scams are a leading cause of data breaches worldwide [3]. However, recent claims suggesting that over 700 cities and regions in 60 countries have been affected by fake public transportation pages on Facebook leading to phishing scams remain unsubstantiated.
Official scam alert pages, such as those from Washington State and Hong Kong, warn about various phishing scams and the impersonation of government agencies or service providers. Yet, these are localized warnings and do not provide a global perspective [1][5]. A thorough search of available information reveals no evidence supporting the claim of such a widespread global campaign.
While it is established that Facebook phishing pages are a known vector for fraud, the specific claim about the extensive global impact of this particular scam—especially involving public transportation—lacks direct support in the current search results. Such a claim would require detailed, authoritative reporting or research from cybersecurity firms, international agencies, or major news outlets, which is not present here.
If a user falls into the phishing trap, they should file a report with their local police or the online police station responsible for their residence. It's important to note that the credit card number entered on the phishing sites is not sent to the public transportation company or consortium whose name is misused by the criminals.
In Europe, Germany has been identified to have 16 fraudulent public transportation pages on Facebook. These pages often offer discounted tickets or even multi-month free subscriptions as bait. Maldita.es, a Spanish fact-checking organization, has issued a warning about these fraudulent pages. Interestingly, the websites linked from these suspicious pages are hosted by the same Russian provider.
Users are advised not to click on any links from these suspicious pages. To date, more than 1,000 such fraudulent pages have been identified on Facebook, with these phishing pages found not only in cities and regions of Europe but also in 60 countries worldwide.
However, it's crucial to approach such claims with caution. More targeted research or reports would be needed to confirm the global extent of this particular scam. If you have encountered this claim elsewhere, it is important to seek original sources or publications from cybersecurity organizations (such as Interpol, Europol, or major antivirus companies) that may have investigated or reported on such a widespread campaign.
- Despite recent claims suggesting a widespread global phishing scam involving fake public transportation pages on Facebook, no authoritative reporting or research from cybersecurity firms, international agencies, or major news outlets has been found to substantiate this claim.
- Cybersecurity firms and general-news outlets should conduct thorough investigations into the alleged global impact of phishing scams involving fake public transportation pages on Facebook to ensure users have accurate information and can take necessary preventative measures.
