Scammers Are Using Viral Clips and Leaks Sites to Prey on Unsuspecting Users

Have you seen links to sites promoting a supposedly leaked viral clip available only on an exclusive site? Or maybe you’ve seen friends on Facebook or other social platforms sharing posts that claim to show leaked MMS content from celebrities’ phones.

The urge to see the latest hot gossip can make you click these links. But are viral clips and leaks sites safe? Unfortunately, these clips are rarely what they seem, and often lead to sites designed to steal your data or install malware on your device. Learn more below.

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Using “Leaks” and “Viral Clips” as Bait

Many viral leaks scams start by promising an exclusive look at a leaked video, often from a celebrity or other figure in the public eye. They may include oddly specific information, such as the length of the video, to make it seem more convincing. A recent example was a link circulating that promised to direct viewers to a 12-minute, 46-second viral video. Others had similar headlines stating the video was 7 minutes and 11 seconds long.

The length is published to convince the unsuspecting viewer that there’s something real behind the clickbait headline. The tabloid-style text is often accompanied by a blurry image that could be of someone famous. These may be old photos or AI-generated images, used to convince viewers that they’ll see something better once they access the video.

What Happens When Users Click the Link

Typically, if the viewer wants to see the gossip or viral video, they click the link and find that they have to enter details in order to access the content. At this point, the victim may be asked:

To enter personal details, which can lead to identity theft and fraud
To connect via Telegram or another app that’s difficult to monitor
To join a specific channel which may also steal data

Some links may lead to malicious websites or downloads that attempt to install malware on the user’s device. Depending on the type of malware, it may steal information or compromise accounts, leaving the user vulnerable to fraud.

Avoid Viral Leaks Scams

A clickbait-style link with blurry images may not lead to the content it promises. Check whether reputable news outlets or established fan accounts have reported the same story before trusting the claim.

Tips to avoid these types of viral leak scams:

If you don’t recognize the website’s name, look up the same headline using a search engine. You may immediately find it’s been reported as a scam.
Avoid clicking news and gossip links you find randomly on social media.
Never click an unsolicited link sent to you by SMS or email.
Never shift to an off-platform conversation on Telegram or WhatsApp.

Weirdly specific headlines that promote an alleged leak by giving an exact video length can be a red flag, especially when paired with blurry images or unfamiliar links. Avoid clicking suspicious links and report deceptive posts to the platform where you encountered them.

Stay Safer When Browsing Online

Gossip and celebrity news promoted only through unfamiliar online channels should be treated with caution. Stick to trusted news outlets and established fan sites and pages, and avoid links that promise access to supposedly leaked private content.

Keep up to date with the latest online criminal tactics by signing up for Scam Detector’s Scam Alerts. Regular updates straight into your inbox help you navigate your favorite social platforms with more confidence.

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