Current events spark scams on Facebook

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Becoming a victim of scams from those who are profiting from recent tragedies is just appalling. But it happens. Call 12 for Action has important information on how to detect the thieves trying to cash in.

Most everyone you know is on Facebook. And the scam artists are too, but guess what, they're not our friends.

"Obviously people who are on Facebook see current news stories and videos attached to them find them enticing." said Paula Fleming, of the Better Business Bureau.

In light of the bombing and shootings in Norway, or the sudden death of singer, Amy Winehouse. It's hard to believe that scammers would take advantage of such tragic situations. But they do.

"They want people to cilck on the link watch the videos download and online survey in which these scam artists get paid when someone participates." said Fleming.

What's happening on Facebook, according to the Better Business Bureau, scammers claim there are links to a video from Oslo security cameras showing the actual explosion as it happens. Phrases such as "leaked video" or "Amy Winehouse on crack hours before death", and "Warning! Graphic content!

"There are no videos of Amy Winehouse that we know of yet." said Fleming. "Just use your common sense, would it really be there on Facebook?"

If you are one of the thousands of people who fell for this type of scam, be sure to remove any trace of it from your account, "likes" and "interests" section for example and report the scam to facebook immediately.