Facebook Messenger scam: how to spot a rigged message?
Scammers hack Facebook accounts or create fake profiles to message your relatives on Messenger. Here's how to avoid falling into the trap.
The typical trap on Messenger
The classic scenario: a "friend" messages you, seems normal, then asks for your number to "send a code", or begs you to send them €50 "they'll pay you back tonight". In reality, their account is hacked — or it's a clone of their profile.
The hack almost always follows the same path: the friend clicked on a "Is this you in the video??" link and entered their Facebook password on a fake site. Once the account is stolen, the scammer messages the whole friend list within the hour, before the victim has time to regain control.
The other big Messenger scam is the fake Facebook lottery: "You've won €50,000 in the official Facebook draw." Facebook does not organize any draw of this kind. Whenever you're asked to pay to "unlock a prize", it's a scam, without exception.
Warning signs on Messenger
- A friend writes "Hey, how are you?" then asks for a money favour or a code received by SMS.
- A message from a relative on a new profile, recent photo, few mutual friends.
- "You've won a Facebook draw", followed by a request to pay fees to receive the prize.
- A strange link disguised as a video: "Is this you in the video??".
- A fake Facebook/Meta customer service asking for your password or a verification code.
- An urgent request to send money via Wave, Orange Money, PayPal, bank transfer…
The right moves
- Call your friend on the phone before sending anything. Always.
- Never forward a code received by SMS, even to a relative: it's almost always a hijacking attempt.
- Don't click "Is this you in the video?" links — it's an account theft trick.
- Enable two-factor authentication on your Facebook account.
- Report the profile (… → Report) and block it.
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