Have you seen a Facebook post sharing a picture of a Man, Brian Posch saying he is missing? The Brian Posch Scam is is one of those viral posts that prey on people’s compassion and desire to help.
The Brian Posch Scam
The Facebook Post Read:
“HELP FIND HIM – 36-year-old Brian Posch went missing yesterday morning here in #Moorhead. His truck was found last night with his baby girl inside but unfortunately, there is still no sign of him. He is 5/9″ and 165 lbs. A silver alert has been issued for Keith who is considered to possible be in EXTREME danger and in need of medical assistance. We are asking for the community’s help. ONLY TAKES 2 SECONDS to share…”
This is however a scam as, Brian Posch was reported missing in April of 2024 in Pennsylvania, and was found dead four days later, inside of his truck, submerged in a river. A GoFundMe page from April says Brian leaves behind his wife, Alanna and his 1-year-old daughter, Mila.
How We Discovered That The Brian Posch Missing Man Facebook Post Was Scam.
There were some Red Flags that led to the discovery of this being a scam and they include:
- Numerous Fake Missing Person Posts Appearing On Facebook: Recently so many missing people posts started appearing On Facebook. These posts often claim that Brian Posch, or any other person as the case may be, a supposedly missing man, needs help being found, urging users to share the post. The posts usually include a photo of someone who is not actually missing or a random image from the internet.
- Unverifiable Source: The original post often comes from newly created or fake accounts that lack credibility. These accounts tend to have few friends, little activity, or a suspiciously short lifespan.
- The post encourages people to share without checking the facts, relying on emotions like urgency and fear. The viral nature is meant to increase exposure, and scammers may later use these posts for ulterior motives, such as directing people to phishing links or gathering personal data.
- While the initial post may seem harmless, these types of viral posts are often part of larger scams. Once a post gains traction, the scammer could edit it to include links to phishing websites, promote fraudulent services, or even sell personal data collected from interactions.
How To Stay Safe:
- Fact-check before sharing any missing person posts. Verify the information with official sources like police websites or credible news outlets.
- Be cautious of unknown accounts posting urgent requests. Scammers can exploit your empathy to propagate misinformation
Always approach viral content, especially on platforms like Facebook, with skepticism.