What Is the “Look Who Just Died” Scam? Here’s the Right Way to Handle It
The “Look Who Just Died” scam is a fraudulent scheme that preys on people’s emotions and sympathy. The scammer contacts their victim posing as a friend or family member of the deceased and urges them to send money or personal information.
The scammer may claim that the deceased had debts or legal issues that need resolving urgently, or that there is a large sum of money that needs to be transferred from the deceased’s estate. They may use fake obituary notices or social media posts to create a sense of urgency and legitimacy.
People who fall for this scam can lose their life savings or become victims of identity theft. It’s essential to be vigilant and cautious when receiving messages or calls from unknown individuals who claim to have bad news about a mutual acquaintance.
The right way to handle this type of scam is to verify the information independently, rather than trusting anything based purely on a phone call or email. Be sure to contact other friends and family members of the deceased, or research information online to see if there is an actual death, legal case or inheritance.
If you receive suspicious messages, report them to the authorities immediately, including the police, the bank, or any relevant Internet fraud agencies. They can investigate the matter and, hopefully, prevent other potential victims from falling prey to such scams.