Late Buddie's widow Facebook account "stolen"

[GON]

A buddy of mine passed away OOA five years ago. He was a retired infantry MSG, awesome professional.

I am Facebook friends with my late buddy's widow. We never connect, just nice to be friends.

Yesterday I saw the below message. First thought is I am going to buy some of that awesome priced stuff owned by a 60+ year old women. Moments later I realized the listing was a total scam. Messaging on the post was turned off. I sent a notice of fraud to Facebook, and the reply from Facebook was " no action taken". Disappointed- guess I should not be, how much revenue Facebook generates, yet has essentially zero true concern.

Here is the list of items posted (I am not copying the pictures). Of note, not one of the vehicles had a license plate. And who in the world had this most desirable items all at once. Finally, all the items identified as sold are overpriced non-desirable items, all the very desirable items are super cheap and not yet sold. The con artist is Definitely a slick operator.

Cut and paste of the posting (note this was a post- not a Marketplace ad):
We're conducting a sale of personal items due to my sister-in-law's move to a care facility, which requires significant downsizing. To manage this transition smoothly, items are being sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. I'll be out of town assisting with her move and won't be back until the 17th of this month

To reserve an item, a deposit is necessary. This ensures that the item is held for you until I return, at which point you can view and decide on the purchase. Deposits are fully refundable if you later change your mind after viewing.
2019 Toyota Camry $7000
2013 Honda CRV $4000
Microwave - $300 sold

Kubota tractor $2000
2015 Cherokee jeep $4000
Chevrolet Traverse - $6000
Bobcat $5000
2015 Cherokee jeep $4000
Toyota Venza -$5000
1990 Landrover defender $14,000
Honda Accord $4,000
Kaufman Gooseneck - $5000
2015 Ford F-150 4X4 - $7000
2009 Smart Fortwo - $1800
Sanger shovel nose - $15000
Kawasaki Mule Pro - $8500
Honda pioneer SXS - $2000
Dodge Ram - $6000
Stock Trailer - $3000
Enclosed Trailer - $1500
Honda Generator 7000EU - $800
4 wheeler - $3000
Refrigerator - $800
Camper - $4000
20ft container - $2600
Dryer and Washer - 4 months old $700
Hot tub - $1300
Dirt Bike - $1500
Generator (Generac) - $1500
Side by side - $3000
Golf cart - $2000 each
Kitchen aid - $200 sold

Tv smart '55' - $300 sold

Zero turn Mower - $1200
Sectional couch - $600
Dresser - $300
Chairs and table $400
Freezer - $300
Vanity - $200
Utility trailer - $1200
Ps5 - $500
Yard gazebo - $800
Outside kennel 10x10 - $200
Indoor kennel - $150
Dog Crate - $250
Water slide- $700
Treadmill - $400
Bunk bed - $300 each
Trampoline - $400
Electric bike (Rad Rover ) - $800
Lawn Sabre Mower - $400
Stove - $350 sold

King bed frame (with mattress) - $300
Pool table - $300
Vitamix - $300 sold

Water dispenser - $350sold

Vacuum Cleaner - $300 sold

Toolbox comes with all tools $700
Peloton Bike- $500
Prices are slightly negotiable. @highlight your support!

 

[riff1006]

Shameful. Some people aren't capable of feeling that.

 

[zrxkawboy]

Friend of mine had her account hacked, and the hacker posted the same thing to her account.

 

[wwillson]

Always use multi-factor authentication.

 

[4WD]

Facebook? Like when you fall asleep at chapter 5?

 

[paulswagelock]

My wife passed away years ago. Never really thought about her Facebook account nor could I log into it to end it. It was hacked and a spoof account set up. Some friends let me know since I am not a FB user. Reached out to FB to report it. They were far from helpful. In the end, I could not have the account shut down even though I proved she had passed.

 

[Kira]

Amazing caliber of con.
Surprising that FB doesn't even have a secretary to 'tidy things up'.

 

[Hall]

I always ask / wonder what the point of taking over an account is or when someone spoofs or clones someone's account. I guess this is one example.

her Facebook account nor could I log into it to end it. It was hacked

Nothing happened to her account, based on what you describe.

Reached out to FB to report it. They were far from helpful.

This is pretty typical. Clearly there's no human involvement in FB's "review" process and however their automated system is designed, it's so poorly done it's a waste of time to even report it. I have reported many spoof accounts of friend's profiles and never has anything happened. My own account is cloned and I've reported it as have others and FB finds no issue and leaves it in place.

 

[Pablo]

Thinking FB has the user's interests at heart is the same thing as thinking the big G will somehow take enough from us to protect us.

People are sheep.

 

[AutoMechanic]

My dad’s boss passed a couple years ago and every now and then a friend request will pop up from him so me and others report it and they take it down right away. His wife wants to leave his old account for memories so it stays.

 

[Hall]

His wife wants to leave his old account for memories so it stays.

FB actually has something for accounts like that, something about an "in memorial" account status. I think it either has to be pre-configured for this, i.e. designating someone that will be able to access the account when needed or know your spouse's login details.

 

[TMoto]

I don't really use FB much but do have an account. After my wife passed away, I tried to change my status to widowed. It wouldn't let me because it was linked to hers as married. So I looked into it and yes, there is an option to change her status to a memorial account, which basically locks it as-is and no posts are allowed by her or someone pretending to be her. So, I go ahead and do that. But to my dismay, her account disappeared. Literally gone, poof, as if it never existed. I contacted them over and over to undo it but all I got were the same canned answers. I was pretty pissed that all the pictures she posted and memories were gone, never to be retrieved. So, if anyone ever goes that route, be careful.

 

[andrew_j]

Always use multi-factor authentication.

More specifically go back and enable 2 factor authentication which was not initially an option. It likely is presented with new FaceBook accounts .

 

[Pablo]

More specifically go back and enable 2 factor authentication which was not initially an option. It likely is presented with new FaceBook accounts .

Then it becomes apparent that I don’t need Facebook

 

[andrew_j]

Then it becomes apparent that I don’t need Facebook

It’s beyond useful for special interest Groups which don’t seem to exist elsewhere.