Cybercriminals use Pope's passing to target users with fraudulent scams

Cybersecurity firm Check Point has uncovered a series of scams targeting users online, capitalizing on the death of Pope Francis.

The company reported that fake news stories and AI-generated content about the Pope’s passing have been used by cybercriminals to trick individuals into clicking on malicious links, ultimately leading to data theft and financial fraud, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Check Point’s research revealed that scammers are using social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to spread misleading information. These posts include links that direct users to fraudulent websites designed to steal sensitive information. One of the scams involved a fake Google page promoting a gift card scam, tricking users into paying money or providing personal details.

In another instance, a TikTok post falsely claimed that the Pope's death was a hoax, prompting users to share the misleading content. Additionally, some posts featured AI-generated images of Pope Francis, further confusing unsuspecting users.

Rafa Lopez, a security engineer at Check Point, explained the reasoning behind such scams, saying, “Cybercriminals thrive on chaos and curiosity. Whenever a major news event occurs, we see a sharp rise in scams designed to exploit public interest.” This tactic, which preys on the emotional reactions of users during significant events, is part of a broader pattern of what researchers have dubbed "cyber threat opportunism." This phenomenon surged during the Covid-19 pandemic, where Google identified 18 million phishing and malware-laden emails sent daily, capitalizing on global health concerns.

The timing of these scams highlights the vulnerability of users in times of heightened curiosity and emotional engagement with major news stories. Despite the growing concerns, Meta, the parent company of Instagram, and TikTok have yet to respond to requests for comment on the issue.

As online threats continue to evolve, experts urge users to remain vigilant and cautious when interacting with unfamiliar links, especially during times of widespread public interest.

By Vafa Guliyeva