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Facebook Scammers Pose As Support Staff On 3,200 Fake Profiles
A leading cybersecurity firm’s Dubai-based team uncovered a widespread scam targeting celebrities, businesses, sports teams, and individual accounts.
Global cybersecurity experts Group-IB today published new research into a worldwide phishing campaign carried out on Facebook by cybercriminals impersonating Meta (Facebook’s parent company) support staff.
Between February and March 2023, Group-IB researchers based in Dubai identified over 3,200 Facebook profiles falsely claiming to be written by Meta support staff in over 20 languages. Upon discovering the scammers’ accounts, Group-IB’s Computer Emergency Response Team shared information with Facebook, which it must be noted had already deleted some of the offending profiles.
The cybercriminals’ goal was to hack the Facebook accounts of public figures and celebrities, businesses, sports teams, and individual accounts. As part of the elaborate scam, cookie data, and session hijacking were employed, though the criminals mostly used traditional phishing techniques to trick people into voluntarily entering email and password information.
Group-IB researchers began tracking this widespread scam in February 2023. As well as 3,200 fake Facebook profiles containing scam posts, the cybersecurity experts also discovered 220 websites intended to trick users into parting with their data.
The Details Of The Scam
This Facebook scammers used social engineering techniques to trick users into thinking their accounts were marked for suspension due to copyright violations. If victims attempted to verify their profile to prevent it from being blocked, they would be taken to a phishing website, where they were presented with a page that contained official-looking Meta or Facebook branding.
Also Read: Filmmaker Uses AI To Visualize Thousands Of Leaked Passwords
“Cybercriminals can use compromised accounts to launch further phishing attacks. Individuals can suffer legal and reputational damage [and] threat actors could also gain access to the victim’s financial services [and] hold compromised accounts for ransom, demanding payment from the victim for retrieval of the account,” says Sharef Hlal, Head of Group-IB’s Digital Risk Protection Analytics Team.
Group-IB recommends social network users ensure that their passwords are “strong and unique, and that they enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to provide an extra layer of security”. In addition, if you’re ever directed away from official social media platform pages, it’s a good idea to closely check the URL to ensure it’s legitimate.
News
Ericsson And e& Join Forces To Bring Superfast 5G To Egypt
The partnership aims to deliver fast, reliable connectivity to private users and enterprises while supporting cross-sector digital innovation.
At GITEX GLOBAL 2024, Ericsson and e& Egypt announced a groundbreaking partnership to roll out 5G technology across Egypt, promising users enhanced connectivity with faster speeds, reduced latency, and expanded bandwidth. The collaboration will cater to the growing demand for advanced mobile services for both consumers and enterprises alike.
Under the agreement, Ericsson will deliver its energy-efficient 5G product suite to establish the new network. This comprehensive 5G Radio Access Network (5G RAN) portfolio, implemented through the Ericsson Radio System, is designed to support diverse traffic conditions and site types. It aims to provide reliable performance as networks grow across mobile generations, equipping Egypt with a stable, high-capacity infrastructure to foster digital innovation.
The adoption of 5G is expected to provide Egyptians with seamless connectivity and increased network resilience. The expanded bandwidth and lower latency brought by this new infrastructure will support not only faster internet for users but also enhance industry operations and contribute to society as a whole.
“We are thrilled to bring 5G to Egypt with our technology partner, Ericsson. Through this partnership, e& Egypt will be able to provide faster connectivity speeds, larger bandwidth, and lag-free user experience to our customers, unlocking many opportunities for consumers and enterprises,” said Amr Fathy, Chief Technology and Information Officer of e& Egypt. “With Ericsson’s cutting-edge 5G solutions, we are paving the way for a more connected and innovative future for Egypt”.
Also Read: Wi-Fi 7, The Next Generation Of Wireless Internet, Is Here
Ekow Nelson, Vice President and Head of Global Customer Unit for e& at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, also reflected on the longstanding collaboration: “Our storied partnership with e& Egypt dates back nearly two decades, with two generational shifts in mobile technology. Like previous generational shifts, our ambition with 5G is to extend e& Egypt’s technology position”.
Ericsson and e& Egypt have collaborated successfully for years, achieving notable milestones in network innovation, customer experience, and sustainable development.