The campaign is promoted on websites with tags such as 'TrendingUSA,' 'ViralTruck,' 'ViralDips,' and 'FunChoke.' One such dubious website already registered over 75,000 Facebook likes and 4,771 Twitter followers.
There are, of course, saucy photos to look at, but clicking on the link could leave you open to all sorts of problems. Also watch out for similar scams such as 'leaked work selfies' and 'sexy shoots of girls taken by her boyfriend.'
Catalin Cosoi, Chief Security Strategist at Bitdefender said, "Fraudulent websites promoting Snapchat leaks and other 'viral' content could lead to identity fraud and financial losses. Victims are usually subscribed to money-making surveys and redirected to scams promising electronics or amazing diet pills. Bitdefender advises users to be suspicious of videos, Snapchats and pictures 'leaked' online, particularly on Facebook."
The scams follow on from fraudsters baiting Facebook users with supposedly nude images of actress Emma Watson. When they clicked on the video they actually downloaded malware, so our advice is to stay well away from posts with similar provocative headlines.
Bitdefender researchers warn that such scams will continue to affect curious users throughout 2015. The Snapchat scam circulates with messages including "Welcome to new batch of Snapchat leaked;" "This girl removed her mask after 2 years;" and "What happened to her will leave you in a shock (21 photos)."
There are lots of other scams, including posts promising to get friends' passwords and much more obvious ones including instructions on how to get a free Audi R8. If it sounds too good to be true, is almost certainly is.