The RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador is warning residents about a scam currently circulating on Facebook, where fraudsters create fake missing persons posts to gain access to personal information.
How the Scam Works
These deceptive posts are frequently shared in local buy-and-sell Facebook groups, claiming that a child or a police officer is missing in the area. The goal is to manipulate users into engaging with the post by commenting or sharing, which can give scammers access to their personal information.
Once users interact with these fraudulent posts, scammers may be able to extract Facebook account details, including friends lists. This information can then be used for malicious activities such as cloning accounts and attempting to scam the victim’s contacts.
Recognizing and Reporting Fake Posts
This type of scam is widespread across North America and has recently been observed in multiple Facebook groups across Newfoundland and Labrador. To protect yourself and others:
Do not engage with these posts by commenting or sharing.
Report suspicious posts directly to Facebook using the three small dots (‘…’) in the upper right-hand corner of the post.
Verify missing persons reports by checking official law enforcement social media pages or websites.
Protecting Vulnerable Individuals
The RCMP urges residents to discuss this scam with family members and friends, particularly seniors, who may be less familiar with online fraud tactics. Raising awareness can help prevent the spread of misinformation and protect people from potential cyber threats.
For legitimate missing persons reports, always refer to the official channels of law enforcement agencies. If you come across a suspicious post, report it rather than engaging with it. Spreading awareness is key to keeping our online communities safe.
I’ve drafted an article warning about the Facebook missing persons scam. Let me know if you’d like any adjustments or additional details.
RCMP NL Warns Residents of Fake Missing Persons Scams on Facebook
