The digital age has brought unprecedented access to information, but it has opened doors for malicious actors seeking to exploit human emotions. When a public figure like Pope Francis passes away, the global outpouring of grief and interest creates a fertile ground for scams. Cybercriminals are very fast to exploit such events, using an assortment of strategies to trick unaware people. MetaBlock X is dedicated to providing our readers with the information and resources needed to make sense of these murky waters. Here’s what you need to know about these scams surrounding Pope Francis’ death. It uncovers the psychological tactics that cybercriminals use and provides you with a step-by-step guide to spotting these threats so you can avoid them.

Understanding the Scams

When a prominent activist dies, the surge in online traffic is tremendous. Friends and family members flood social media to share their grief, post tributes, and search for answers. And cybercriminals, not surprisingly, love to capitalize on this heightened interest. They dream up increasingly complex scams to separate individuals from their money or personal information.

Fake News Websites and Disinformation

One of the more prevalent tactics is to make imitation news websites that closely imitate real news sources. These sites have a tendency to circulate fake news regarding Pope’s death, sometimes with extremely provocative or false information created to drive traffic. These clicks subsequently result in additional scams perpetrated against them or the installation of malware. Now artificial intelligence (AI) is making it easier than ever to produce these kinds of disinformation narratives in order to manipulate public perception. This growing trend creates unprecedented challenges to distinguish legitimate news from disinformation. It’s important, now more than ever, to confirm information using established, trusted news organizations before retweeting it or acting in response to it.

Gift Card Scams

Another common scam is advertising phony gift card deals. Cybercriminals create realistic-looking counterfeit websites and social media accounts to spread their scams. They lure people to disclose personal info or send money by offering them gift cards in exchange. These scams frequently feature emotionally triggering text or images that exploit the Pope’s death to draw victims into their web.

Phishing Attacks and Malware Infections

It doesn’t help that phishing scams are more prolific than ever. The bad links are hiding inside seemingly legitimate websites and social media posts, pretending to be news or real information about Pope Francis. Clicking on these links may take users to a counterfeit page whose purpose is to mine usernames, passwords or other personal information. This is because very often these kinds of links are a way to get malware infected. For instance, ransomware can lock up your files and hold them for ransom.

No-Click Hack Attacks

More sophisticated attackers will take advantage of the Pope’s death to launch no-click hack attacks. These attacks exploit vulnerabilities in code and OS environments. Unlike similar flagship malware, they can reach sensitive information without the victim even having to click a malicious link or download a file.

Psychological Tactics Used by Cybercriminals

Cybercriminals aren’t only experts with technology. They also understand how to leverage human psychology. They rely on numerous tactics to prey on people’s emotions, good naturedness, trust and urgency.

Instilling Anxiety and a Sense of Urgency

Scammers often place their victims under duress. They often make it seem as though they come from authoritative sources such as government agencies, banks, or other trusted institutions. When this obtains, they may argue that the victim’s testimony is unreliable. They could claim the victim has an outstanding debt, rushing them to settle the matter promptly to avoid any trouble.

Building Psychological Commitment

Scammers often spend hours on the phone extracting money from their victims. This psychological commitment ensures that it is far easier for targets to acquiesce to their demands. They typically start with an easy ask. The more the victim is committed to the conversation, the tone and demands increase over time.

Exploiting Emotional Connections

Scammers often take advantage of powerful emotional ties such as love and romance. Cybercriminals do this by establishing trust to gain victims’ confidence before asking for money or personal information. Or they might use not-so-great technologies, like creating fake online personas to draw their targets into romance scams. Gradually, they cultivate this relationship during which time they reveal their true motives.

Creating a Sense of Social Debt

Scammers might help victims solve a real or imaginary problem, making them feel indebted and more likely to comply with subsequent requests. This approach is effective because it leverages the powerful principle of reciprocity. It incentivizes individuals to do right by those who have done right by them in the past.

Impersonating Authority Figures

Fraudsters frequently impersonate line managers, government officials, or other authority figures to prey on individuals’ instinctual habit to listen to authority figures. They may even create fraudulent email accounts or phone numbers to masquerade as these high-profile figures, rendering their requests seemingly legitimate.

Identifying and Avoiding Pope Death Scams: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you identify and avoid Pope death scams:

  1. Be Cautious of Social Media Posts: Scams often start as social media posts that lure individuals into clicking on links purportedly to take them to news stories about Pope Francis, including false claims about his death.
  2. Verify Information Through Reputable Sources: If you hear about a shocking event related to Pope Francis, verify the information through reputable news sources before taking any action.
  3. Avoid Clicking on Suspicious Links: Be wary of links from unknown sources, especially those that claim to lead to news stories about Pope Francis. Hover over links to preview the URL before clicking, and avoid clicking on links that look suspicious or unfamiliar.
  4. Be Aware of Phishing Scams: Scammers may try to gather personal information or download malware by claiming to have information about Pope Francis. Be cautious of emails or messages that ask for personal information, and never click on links or download attachments from unknown senders.
  5. Stay Informed About Common Scams: Stay up-to-date on common scams, including those related to public interest events, to avoid falling victim to them.
  6. Be Cautious with Email and Online Communications: Always be wary of unsolicited emails or online communications, especially those that ask for personal information or money.
  7. Use Strong Passwords and Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Protect your online accounts by using strong, unique passwords and enabling two-factor authentication whenever possible.
  8. Keep Your Software Up to Date: Regularly update your operating system, web browser, and other software to patch security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals.
  9. Install and Maintain Antivirus Software: Install and maintain reputable antivirus software on your computer and mobile devices to protect against malware and other threats.
  10. Think Before You Click: Always pause and think before clicking on a link or downloading a file, especially if it comes from an unknown source.

Real Examples of Pope Death Scams

Several real-world examples illustrate the types of scams that have been circulating following Pope Francis' death:

  • Fake News Websites: Attackers have created websites that promote fake news regarding Pope Francis' death to launch global scams. These sites often use sensational headlines and fabricated details to attract clicks and spread misinformation.
  • Gift Card Scams: Scammers have used the death of Pope Francis to launch gift card scams, as shown in an example of a gift card scam used in the Pope Francis death attacks. These scams typically involve asking victims to purchase gift cards and send the codes to the scammers, who then cash them out.
  • No-Click Hack Attacks: Scammers have launched no-click hack attacks, capitalizing on the death of Pope Francis and the billions of people mourning his loss. These attacks exploit vulnerabilities in software or operating systems to gain access to sensitive information without requiring the victim to click on a malicious link or download a file.
  • Malicious Links in Search Results: Scammers have ranked high in search results with malicious links, targeting people searching for updates on Pope Francis, which can lead to malware or phishing attacks. These links often lead to fake news websites or phishing pages designed to steal personal information.

Actionable Security Tips

To further enhance your security posture, consider the following actionable tips:

  • Regularly Review Your Online Accounts: Check your online accounts for suspicious activity, such as unauthorized logins or transactions.
  • Be Wary of Unsolicited Communications: Be cautious of unsolicited emails, phone calls, or messages, especially those that ask for personal information or money.
  • Use a Password Manager: Use a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords for all of your online accounts.
  • Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about the latest scams and security threats, and share this information with your friends and family.
  • Report Suspicious Activity: Report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Conclusion

On one hand, the unexpected death of Catholic Pope Francis has brought a period of mourning for millions around the globe. Sadly, cyber criminal enterprises have capitalized on this opportunity to create a slew of new scams aimed at duping and stealing from unwitting people. Familiarize yourself with the tactics scammers use to protect yourself. Take the preventative measures in this article to ensure you’re not the next victim. MetaBlock X is committed to providing you the tools and information you should have. We’re giving you the tools you need to stay safe and secure in this new digital landscape. As with all potential threats, we urge you to remain informed, be wary of unknown links and messages, and ensure that you’re checking information against trusted sources.