Online Thieves Using Osama Bin Laden's Death In Scams
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- There's a warning about online thieves using the killing of Osama bin Laden to try to scam you.
Free plane tickets to celebrate Osama bin Laden's death? A promise of a free sandwich? Or exclusive video of bin Laden's corpse? They are just some of the scams the Better Business Bureau is warning people about.
"Typically, these types of scams pop up within hours of the news story hitting," said Becky Maier from the Better Business Bureau Pittsburgh Office.
One email that's circulating claims to be from a "soldier" who was assigned to the raid on bin Laden's home.
He claims they found money in barrels near the home. He wants to keep the cash, so he's asking you if he can send you $10 million for safekeeping with the promise that'll you get something in return. But Maier says all you'll get, is scammed. "What they're asking for is your personal information, your Social Security number."
Here's another one: On Facebook, there's a fake video supposedly showing bin Laden's death, but it could actually lead to your computer being infected with a virus.
"Everyone's curious, everyone wants to see the photos or the videos, but none of them have actually been released and once you click on those links it's actually a malicious email and it becomes a virus on your computer," said Maier.
RELATED LINKS
More Consumer News
More Reports By David Highfield
Better Business Bureau
