Let's talk about Grandma. Even my own Grandma, bless her heart, still believes the internet runs on hamsters on little treadmills. She’s the sweetest spirit you’ll ever come across, and surprisingly naive. That's why, when I saw headlines about scammers exploiting Pope Francis' death, my blood ran cold. I imagined Grandma, sitting at home, mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, viewing a persuasive (though entirely false) post and clicking on it without thinking twice. This isn’t only personal for her, it’s personal FOR you grandma, neighbor, whoever is vulnerable and grieving. The wolves are here, and they’re all dressed up like sheep.

Grief Exploitation A New Low?

Cybercriminals are the lowest of the low. Exploiting grief over Pope Francis’ passing isn’t simply disrespectful — it’s predatory. We’re discussing people who are probably already in an extremely emotionally vulnerable state. The internet is a powerful tool, but it muddies the waters, even more so with today’s fast-paced world of social media. Like this unending flood of information, it creates a perfect storm for scams. Cyber threat opportunism is the term coined by Check Point Research, and it’s a scourge we must battle. These aren’t just arbitrary pranks, they are clearly organized crimes.

Think of it this way: it's like vultures circling a dying animal. In this metaphor, the “animal” is embodied collective grief. These vultures are just as eagerly and unabashedly seeking your personal information and hard-earned money. This kind of thing is nothing new. Remember those fake COVID cures? Or the Queen Elizabeth scams? It's the same playbook, different tragedy. What’s particularly infuriating here is the manipulation of faith.

Google Gift Cards From Heaven?

One new, especially insidious scam that’s been circulating is the scam of fake Google gift cards. It goes something like this: you see a post on Facebook (or TikTok, Instagram, wherever) claiming Pope Francis left behind a "secret" Google gift card for everyone. That’s it—all you need to do is follow this link. Don't do it.

This link brings you to a real multipage scam website that is made to look very convincing. They can demand your name, email address, all sorts of personal identifying information, and in some cases even your credit card. They lure you in with the idea of getting free money, but what you’re actually giving them is access to your entire digital life. It’s the oldest trick in the cybercriminals’ playbook, cloaked in papal vestments.

It’s not only the Google gift cards. These websites can discreetly harvest sensitive data from your device. They cannot only view your device name and operating system but your location. This data is subsequently sold on the dark web or leveraged for further specialized phishing schemes. It's a digital domino effect of doom.

Protecting Grandma From Digital Wolves

Here are some simple, practical tips:

  • Never click on links in unsolicited emails or social media posts. I know, it sounds obvious, but it's the number one way people fall for these scams.
  • Always verify the authenticity of a website before entering personal information. Look for the padlock icon in the address bar, and double-check the URL. Does it look legitimate? Does it match the organization it claims to represent?
  • Be extremely wary of offers that seem too good to be true. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Pope Francis isn't giving away free Google gift cards. Sorry.
  • Talk to a trusted friend or family member before making any online transactions. Get a second opinion. A fresh pair of eyes can often spot red flags that you might miss.
  • Update your software and security settings. Keep your operating system, browser, and antivirus software up to date. These updates often include security patches that protect against the latest threats.
  • Disable location services when possible.
  • Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts. A password manager can help you generate and store these passwords securely.

Talk to your grandma (and grandpa, and your less tech-savvy friends). Explain these scams in simple terms. Show them examples. Make sure they understand the risks. Don't assume they know what you know.

We’ve arrived at a world in which even the death of Nelson Mandela can be weaponized for corporate profit. It's disgusting, and it's dangerous. So keep your eyes peeled—and stay tuned. It’s up to us to look out for each other and keep ourselves and our families safe from these digital predators. Together, let’s ensure Grandma isn’t their next lunch. Let’s create a better, more smartly connected world—one defended by wisdom and compassion. Don't let the scammers win.