Facebook Scams: How To Spot and Avoid Cybercriminals

Facebook scams are skyrocketing, costing Americans billions. According to the FTC, losses totaled over $2.7 billion between 2021 and 2023.(1) But the problem is getting worse. In 2024 alone, fraudsters stole more than $1.8 billion.(2)

Online shopping scams are the most reported Facebook fraud, but Americans lost the most money to investment scams, according to the FTC.(1)

Facebook scams do more than drain bank accounts. They also shatter trust, leaving victims feeling violated and powerless. Many lose their life savings, fall into debt, or struggle to recover financially. The emotional toll often includes stress, anxiety, and a deep sense of betrayal.

Consumers must stay alert and aware to protect themselves from the growing threat of Facebook scams.

Let’s explore how to recognize and avoid common scams on Facebook, including:

• Sextortion
• Romance Scams
• Fake Product Scams
• Phishing Attacks

Sextortion Scams

Sextortion scams on Facebook typically begin with a fraudster posing as an attractive stranger. They quickly build trust through flirty messages, eventually sharing fake intimate photos in exchange for some of your own. Once you comply, the scammer threatens to expose them to your friends and family unless you pay a hefty ransom. Of course, you should never pay them because this only makes the situation worse. They’ll continue to ask for more payment and escalate their demands.

Cybercriminals can be highly manipulative, using pressure and threats to get what they want. The experience is emotionally overwhelming and can take a serious toll on your mental health and well-being.

How to Spot Sextortion Scams

Watch out for these warning signs:

• Unsolicited friend requests from unknown profiles
• Overly suggestive or sexual messages
• Requests for explicit photos or videos
• Threats to expose private content

Think twice before sharing personal or intimate content online. If you wouldn’t want your friends and family to see it, don’t send it.

Men are the primary targets of these scams. According to a 2025 sextortion study by a leading cybercrime investigator, 92% of victims were male.(3)

Romance Scams

In romance scams, cybercriminals create fake identities and use flattery, affection, and emotional connection to build trust over time, often pretending to be in love and sharing fabricated stories to strengthen the bond. They may also use a tactic known as love bombing, overwhelming their target with excessive attention and praise to quickly gain trust and control.

Once the victim is emotionally invested, the scammer exploits that trust, typically by asking for money under false pretenses like emergencies or travel expenses. These fraudsters leave victims not only heartbroken, but also thousands of dollars in debt. Even more damaging, they break trust, making it difficult to open up or believe in love again.

How to Spot Romance Scams

Watch out for these red flags:

• Profiles with limited information
• Overly romantic or poetic language
• Refusal to meet in person or video chat
• Urgent requests for money
• Inconsistent stories

As we mentioned, scammers often use fake profiles with stolen photos. You can do a reverse image search to spot where a photo has been used elsewhere online:

1. Go to Google Images.
2. Click the Camera icon.
3. Upload the image.
4. View the results of any webpages where that image has appeared online.

Fake Product Scams

Crooks frequently set up fake ads or pages on Facebook, promoting deeply discounted or in-demand products to lure unsuspecting buyers. These ads often lead to fraudulent websites filled with fake reviews and limited time offers to create a sense of urgency.

Once a purchase is made, the scammer vanishes, leaving the victim without a product and no way to recover their money. In many fake product scams, the criminal also gains access to the victim’s payment information, allowing them to commit further fraud.

How to Spot Fake Product Scams

Be wary of these warning signs:

• Unbelievably low prices
• Lack of contact information
• Suspicious payment methods
• Poor website design
• Negative or nonexistent reviews

To verify if a company on Facebook is a real business:

1. Look for a Blue Checkmark next to the Facebook page name, which indicates Facebook has verified the page as an authentic business.
2. Go to Facebook Business Manager (business.facebook.com) to check the verification status of a business page.
3. Check the business with the Better Business Bureau.

Phishing Attacks

In phishing attacks, scammers send fake links or messages that appear to come from trusted sources, like Facebook or even a friend. These messages often create a false sense of urgency, warning that your account is in danger or asking you to verify personal information.

Clicking the link takes you to a fake login page that closely mimics the real one. Once you enter your credentials, the scammer steals your information and can access your account or even your identity. In some cases, the link may also install malware, giving the attacker full control over your account.

How to Spot Phishing Attacks

Be wary of these red flags:

• Suspicious links
• Requests for login information
• Urgent or threatening messages
• Misspelled words or grammatical errors
• Unusual sender addresses

You can hover over a link without clicking it to see what address pops up. Watch out for look-alike URLs that are fake.

Report Facebook Scams and Get Help

If you’ve been scammed on Facebook, it’s crucial to report the incident to the proper authorities immediately. Doing so not only helps protect you, but also safeguards the wider Facebook community and contributes to making social media a safer space for everyone.

How to Report Cybercrime to Facebook Admin

To report a Post, Page, or Profile:

1. Go to the suspicious post, page, or profile you want to report.
2. Click the three dots (⋯) in the top right corner of the post or under the cover photo of a profile or page.
3. Select “Find Support or Report” from the dropdown menu.
4. Choose the reason for your report. For scams, select “Scams and Fake Pages” or “Pretending to Be Someone,” depending on the situation.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your report and submit it to Facebook.

To report a Message:

1. Open the chat where you received the suspicious message.
2. Click the three dots (⋯) in the top right corner of the chat window.
3. Select “Report” and choose the appropriate reason.
4. Follow the prompts to submit your report.

How to Report Facebook Cybercrime to Law Enforcement

• To report a Facebook cybercrime to the FBI, visit the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov and complete the online complaint form with as much detail as possible.
• You should also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov, which helps track and investigate fraud to protect other consumers.

Get Help from Digital Investigation Inc.

If you have been a victim of a scam on Facebook, Digital Investigation Inc. is here to help. Our cybersecurity professionals can help track down, locate, and identify the cybercriminal.

Our experienced cyber engineers can use different techniques, including IP tracing and social media analysis, to track the scammer’s exact location. We can identify the crook by personal data. We’ll gather evidence and uncover their digital footprint to help prosecute the criminal and bring them to justice. We’ll help you uncover any lost funds, secure your Facebook profile, and help install improved security measures so this never happens again.

Reach out to Digital Investigation Inc. today and let us help put this mess behind you.

Sources:

1. FTC Data Shows Consumers Report Losing $2.7 Billion to Social Media Scams Since 2021. Federal Trade Commission, October 6, 2023.
2. Top Scams of 2024. Federal Trade Commission, March 10, 2025.
3. Sextortion Report: March 2025. Digital Forensics Corporation, March 2025.