Phishing Campaign Spreads via Fake Leaked Video Links Online

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A Phishing Campaign Exploits Curiosity with Fake “Leaked Video” Links

A recent online phenomenon surrounding a purportedly leaked video of a popular lifestyle influencer has turned out to be a sophisticated phishing and malware campaign. Cybersecurity experts have identified the scheme as a “Ghost File Scam,” designed to deceive users into clicking on malicious links.

The Campaign Centers Around Vera Hill

The campaign centers around Vera Hill, a Philippines-based influencer known online as ChiChi. Search engines and social media platforms have seen a surge in searches for keywords related to the alleged video, which are redirecting users to suspicious websites masquerading as legitimate video streaming platforms. However, these websites are actually designed to steal user data.

According to cyber analysts, scammers often capitalize on trending topics and viral gossip to lure users into their traps. In this case, the scammers created fake blogs, landing pages, and social media posts using sensational phrases to entice users into clicking on the links.

The Phishing Campaign Employs Several Tactics

Once clicked, the link activates a digital trap that can compromise the user’s device and personal data. The phishing campaign employs several tactics to deceive users. First, users are asked to verify their age or log in via social media to access the supposed video. This allows scammers to harvest usernames and passwords. Some websites also prompt users to “update their video player” or “install a browser plugin,” which can lead to the installation of malware and spyware.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Cybersecurity professionals stress that legitimate news portals and official platforms never require unnecessary login credentials or software updates to access content. Red flags that indicate a scam website include mandatory social media login, endless redirects, pop-ups urging updates or plugin installations, and suspicious URLs with random characters or spelling errors.

Legal Consequences in India

In India, viewing, sharing, or circulating private content – whether real, fake, or deepfake – can attract serious legal consequences under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Users who engage with such “leaked” content through dubious links may expose themselves to cyber fraud and potential legal trouble.

What to Do If You’ve Clicked on a Malicious Link

If a user has clicked on one of these malicious links, they should immediately scan their device using trusted antivirus software, change all social media and banking passwords, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all critical accounts, and inform their bank if they notice any suspicious transactions. They should also report the incident to India’s National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930.

Cybersecurity Experts Warn of Ghost File Scams

Cybersecurity experts emphasize that Ghost File Scams are structured operations aimed at stealing digital identities and financial credentials. The warning is clear: users should exercise caution when clicking on sensational “leaked video” links and verify the authenticity of the content before proceeding. A moment of curiosity can have severe consequences, and users must be vigilant to protect themselves from these types of scams.