Messenger scams: the hacked friend message and fake money offers
Quick answer
A Messenger message from a friend asking for money, or with a link to claim money, may come from a hacked account. Don't click or pay. Call your friend on a number you know, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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How it works
Scammers can take over a profile, pretend to be its owner and con that person's friends. The FTC says a message that looks like it comes from a friend or family member may have come from a hacked account.
The FTC describes common versions. The message tells you to click a link to get your money, or promises government grants and money from programs. Some ask you to forward it to friends to be eligible. Links can lead to phishing, and may put malware on your device. Others ask for money, especially by cryptocurrency, gift card or wire transfer.
The FTC reports that since 2021, people have reported losing $2.7 billion to scams that started on social media.
Red flags
- A friend messages out of the blue with a link to claim money
- A friend asks for money, especially by gift card, crypto or wire transfer
- A message promising free grants or government money
- A request to forward the message to several friends
- A friend's message that sounds off or unlike them
- A link that asks you to log in again
Example message
Hey, have you seen this? I just got my grant money, it took 5 minutes. Check it out here: [link]. You have to send it to 5 friends to qualify.
What to do
- 1
Don't click or send money
Even if the message looks like it's from a friend, their account may have been hacked.
- 2
Check with your friend another way
Call them on a number you already have. Let them know their account may be compromised.
- 3
Delete the message
Don't forward it.
- 4
If your own account is hacked, warn your friends and recover it
Let friends know not to click links from you or send money. Follow Facebook's account recovery steps and change your password. The FTC has a guide to recovering a hacked email or social media account.
- 5
Report it
File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers need a way to reach you, and names, phone numbers, email addresses and home addresses are easy to find on people-search sites and data broker listings or in old data breaches. The fewer places your details are listed, the fewer scammers can reach you with a message that looks personal. Serus finds the sites that list you and removes your data, and alerts you when your details show up in a breach.
More Facebook scams
Frequently asked
Why did my friend send me a strange Messenger link?
The FTC says their account may have been hacked. Don't click, and contact them another way.
What if my own Facebook account is hacked?
Warn your friends, follow Facebook's recovery steps and change your password. The FTC has a step-by-step guide.
Are Messenger grant offers real?
The FTC says free grant and money offers on social media are scams. Real agencies don't message you out of the blue.
Is Messenger itself a scam?
No. Scammers use hacked accounts and fake profiles on social platforms.
Sources
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/10/friend-request-could-be-scammer
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/05/free-money-social-media-nah-its-scam
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/06/does-friend-you-met-online-need-money-emergency-thats-scam
- consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recover-your-hacked-email-or-social-media-account
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