Facebook hack that uses advanced technology to scam and steal money from friends

MARBLEHEAD, Mass. — A Marblehead man is alerting others after a video recording of him was captured on Facebook and then weaponized on his friend’s list.

William Stone believes it was taken when he accepted a video call on Facebook Messenger from a friend on Monday morning.

He told Boston 25 News that it didn’t initially seem suspicious because it was his friend’s face and voice.

He said the video quickly froze, the audio became muffled and then a stream of messages began.

Stone isn’t sure how he was hacked after that but recalled being locked out of his Facebook account in a matter of minutes.

“I’m getting phone calls from people all day asking, are you okay?” he explained. “It looks like whatever video they got of me during that little conversation, they’re now using that video to reach out to my friends and family members.”

Stone said he hasn’t been able to get in touch with anyone on Facebook to regain control of his account.

He said the video of him is being used over and over to target everyone on his Facebook friend list.

“It’s pretty awful knowing that there’s someone running around trying to borrow money in my name with my face,” said Stone.

Stone said the friend he initially received the video call from has confirmed that he was hacked about two months ago.

“If you do answer the phone call, they got your face too,” said Hannah O’Reilly, Stone’s wife. “There is no way to resolve it with Facebook. How do we contact you to put a stop to this?”

The couple has been receiving screen grabs from family and friends who have since received video calls on Facebook Messenger from Stone’s account.

O’Reilly posted a warning on her Facebook account and told others not to fall for it.

“This is a very easy scam to get fooled by due to the fact that there’s legit audio and video being used,” said Robert Siciliano, CEO of ProtectNowLLC.com.

Siciliano, a security awareness expert, recommends directly calling or texting your friend or family member to make sure it’s actually them contacting you on Facebook.

A spokesperson with the Better Business Bureau in Eastern Massachusetts said that the BBB is aware of the reports of a Facebook hack that uses AI technology and Facebook video calls.

Paula Fleming, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer with the Better Business Bureau, sent the following statement to Boston 25 News:

“Once you answer the video call, the hackers use AI technology to scan your face and then lock you out of your Facebook account. Avoid answering calls with the camera on until you know it’s legit. Scammers are increasingly using video calls to trick people into revealing personal information or installing malware. If you don’t recognize the number, let it go to voicemail. And if you do answer, be sure to cover your camera until you’re sure who you’re talking to.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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