08/06/2026
Are you seeing LIKES on your comments from accounts calling themselves things like "send me direct message", or "message me for your win"?
I probably don't need to tell you these are scamners.
But do you wonder why they do it and what you should do?
Obviously, these are completely fraudulent phishing and advance-fee scams operated by automated bots.
If you or someone you know is interacting with these profiles, do not reply, do not click any links, and block the account immediately.
The scam works when you leave a comment on a popular public page. A bot account disguised with a name like "Congratulations send me a direct message you won a prize" or "Kindly DM me" likes your comment or replies to it.
You see it in your notifications and it looks like an official prize announcement.
If you initiate the direct message (DM), the scammer will claim you won a giveaway, sweepstakes, or a cash prize.
The goal is to exploit you using one of three methods:
1. Advance-Fee Fraud: They claim you must pay a small "shipping fee," "clearance fee," or "tax" via gift cards, crypto, or peer-to-peer apps before they can release your cash or prize.
2. Phishing Links: They send external links (often disguised as Telegram channels, WhatsApp links, or fake tracking forms) to steal your password, personal data, or banking information.
3. Account Takeover: They may ask you to receive a verification code and send it back to them, which actually allows them to hack and steal your own Facebook account.
What you should do:
1. Report the Account: Click the three dots on the scammer's profile, select Report, and choose Fake Account or Scam/Fraud to alert Meta.
2. Block them immediately so they cannot view your comments or attempt to interact with you again.
3 (optional) Check Your Privacy Settings: Adjust your Facebook Privacy Settings to limit who can see your public activity or send you messages from outside your friend list.
