3 Red Flags to Watch Out for in Social Media Scams

This information is also available on my YouTube Channel at: https://youtu.be/9Ro_pZUNQD8    

If you prefer, you can also listen to this information on my Podcast at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/norbert-gostischa/episodes/3-Red-Flags-to-Watch-Out-for-in-Social-Media-Scams-e33v1q6

Social Media Scams - Where chit chat thrives—and malware takes a deep dive!

Social media isn't just for memes and cat vids—it's also a playground for malware, scammers, and AI tricksters. Don’t worry—this reel’s got your back. Avoid these cyber threats at all costs!

🚨Red Flag #1: Malvertising – That Weird “Too Good to Be True” Ad

Social media feeds are full of sponsored posts that promise free giveaways, exclusive content generators, or miracle apps—but stop scrolling if it smells fishy.

• Malvertising is where cybercriminals use real ads to push malware—sometimes without you even clicking.

• One example: fake ads claiming to be AI video tools (like Luma AI or Canva) hide malware droppers. Downloads infect your device with info-stealers like STARKVEIL, which silently harvests credentials and files.

 

Red Flag to Spot: Look out for misspellings, strange URLs, or ad copy that urges you to “download now” or “install this free tool.” If it sounds like a marketing intern wrote it on three hours of sleep, walk away.

🚨Red Flag #2: Deepfake Scams – Real Faces, Fake Intentions

Ever gotten a video or voice message from a celebrity or “friend” you didn’t know was AI-generated?

• Deepfakes are now terrifyingly convincing—voices and faces are manipulated using generative AI to impersonate people you know or trust.

• Scammers use them for fake endorsements, romance traps, or high-stakes CEO fraud. One well-documented scam tricked a company out of $25 million using a deepfake video call.

Red Flag to Spot: Watch for odd lip-syncing, robotic or inconsistent tone, awkward facial movements, or background artifacts. If it feels “off,” it probably is. When in doubt—call them back using a known number or verify via another method.

🚨Red Flag #3: Pig‑Butchering Romance/Investment Scams – The Emotional Trap

This scam plays on your heart and wallet. A scammer befriends you—sometimes over weeks or even months—then drops an “investment opportunity.”

• These scams are dubbed “pig‑butchering” because they emotionally “fatten up” the target with kindness and attention before slamming them with financial pressure.

• You’ll be steered into fake crypto platforms or encouraged to wire funds, thinking you're building wealth together—only to realize too late that it's all smoke and mirrors.

• In 2024 alone, these scams caused over $12.4 billion in losses globally.

Red Flag to Spot: Someone you met online suddenly gets serious or “future plans” you fast—and then, out of nowhere, offers a quick, lucrative investment scheme. If they can't meet in real life, demand gift cards, or avoid video calls? That's your cue to exit.

Quick Tips to Avoid These Threats:

Think before you click – Hover to preview URLs, double-check spelling, and avoid anything that seems suspicious.

Enable multi‑factor authentication (MFA) – Strong protection even if your credentials leak.

Question too-good-to-be‑true offers – No, you’re probably not the winner of a surprise giveaway. If someone asks for payment to claim a prize, ignore it!

Verify people ASAP – Video call a friend—or check their LinkedIn/Facebook legacy profiles. Romance scammers won’t like this.

Keep your software updated – Updates protect you against the latest malware and ad hijacks.

Report suspicious content – Let Meta, TikTok, or platform teams know—and block the account.

Remember:

🚩Malvertising isn’t just annoying—it’s deadly. These seemingly innocent ads may hijack your device just by loading in your browser. Think of them as trojan horses hiding in plain sight. Don’t take candy from strangers—especially if it’s labeled “Free Download!”

🚩Deepfakes are the new face of fraud. When anyone—literally anyone—can be cloned digitally, trust must be earned, not assumed. If someone you trust sends a weird video or makes a strange request, treat it with healthy skepticism. AI doesn’t need sleep, but it does need electricity—and your scammer probably has a charger.

🚩Pig‑butchering scams blend emotional manipulation with digital fraud. They don’t just steal your money—they exploit your trust. If a love interest pushes investment advice before they’ve even bought you coffee, that’s not love—it’s laundering with emojis.

Stay alert, question the weird stuff, and don't give away money or data—online or off.

Stay safe, stay secure, and stay savvy—and share this to protect your friends!

(AI was used to aid in the creation of this article.)

"I'll see you again soon. Bye-bye and thanks for reading watching and listening."