Scammers target Greek community with fake funeral service live streams

·

Funeral directors around Australia are grappling with online scammers homing in on funeral service live streams and attempting to swindle vulnerable mourners.

In recent weeks, members of Australia’s Greek and wider community have received Facebook friend requests purporting to offer the live streaming of funerals for people who have passed away. But the link on the scam page requests that you register or provide credit card information to view the live stream.

One example which drew the anger of the community was a page that falsely claimed to live stream the funeral of Father Nicholas Bozikis on Wednesday, February 21.

In response to the growing number of scams, Acropolis Funeral Services issued a statement encouraging people to ignore the Facebook accounts.

“If you are being asked by a third party to register or pay to see a live streamed service, please do not acknowledge this as this is most likely a scam,” the statement reads.

“Acropolis Funeral Services will never ask for you to register or pay to see a service live streamed.”

Funeral homes began live streaming services more frequently during the COVID-19 lockdowns to allow mourners to dial in remotely and the trend has continued.

Acropolis Funerals Services are now encouraging people to clarify the legitimacy of the Facebook accounts “via direct family members or our office.”

The Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre is here to help all Australians affected by cyber incidents. Call the hotline 24/7 on 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371) if you need help or go to ReportCyber.

READ MORE: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia’s funeral certificate under scrutiny

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Spurs sack Ange Postecoglou despite Europa League glory

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that Ange Postecoglou will not continue as manager next season, despite ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought with a Europa...

Meet TIFANY: The Greek Australian artist making waves in RnB

Are you looking for your new favourite Greek artist who combines unique sounds of RnB, house and EDM music?

Heirs of a Greek inheritance: Most common problems to deal with

There are many people of Greek descent all over the world whose parents or other close relatives had properties in Greece.

Niki Louca shares her family favourite Indokaridopita (coconut cake) recipe

It is a cake her aunty Panayiota used to make often in years gone by, and one she hasn’t had for a long time.

Naz Vardar to give Melbourne seminar on shaping Vlach identity

The focus lies on the story of a Vlach priest navigating his way within the local Vlach community in Manastir (Bitola).

You May Also Like

Turkey to launch major naval exercise in Aegean, Mediterranean

Turkey has announced it will conduct a large-scale naval exercise in the Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea between February 25 and March 7.

Ange Postecoglou lands in Sydney ahead of Sydney Super Cup

Ange Postecoglou has landed down under, returning home for the first time in three years, to promote the inaugural Sydney Super Cup.

Remembering popular Greek author, Kosmas Politis

Kosmas Politis was one of the most popular Greek authors of the 1930's, with a number of well-known novels including Eroica (1938).