Cyber Crime: Beware of Facebook Account Cloning Scam

Amit Singh

Pune, 18 May 2021: A Facebook account cloning is a simple scam where someone clones your Facebook profile. A cloned Facebook profile is a copy of your account that uses your profile photo and other public information to trick your friends into giving up their information and money.

Dos & Don’ts

1. Never accept friend request from multiple accounts of your friends.
2. Never give money or any valuable information to anyone without talking over the phone.
3. Lock your profile and limit the information your provide about yourself publicly.
4. Don’t click on any unknown link which send by unknown or in some cases from known friends.
5. Tell your friend to call you they are asking for money on social media.
6. Delete your unused Facebook account.
7. Change your profile picture immediately after cloning scam.
8. Report to the Facebook that someone pretending to be you or your friend in case you come across a cloned profile.
9. Post a immediate a message on social media that you are victim of Facebook account cloning scam.
10. Don’t be a fool.

How to report a Facebook account or Page that’s pretending to be me or someone else?

1. Go to the profile or Page of the impersonating account.

   • If you can’t find it, try searching for the name used on the profile or Page or asking your friends if they can send you a link to it.
2. Click  below the cover photo.
3. If you’re reporting a Page, select Find Support or Report Page. If you’re reporting a profile, select Find Support or Report Profile.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions for impersonation to file a report.