As seen on WFMY News 2, Rockingham County, N.C.
Author: Megan Allman
Published: 11:02 AM EDT May 30, 2025
Scammers create sensational clickbait—often featuring the likeness of a local student—to trick users into visiting sites loaded with pop-up ads or malware.
A new online scam that uses fake, AI-generated headlines to lure local students to dangerous websites is making the rounds, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office warned parents and teens in a Facebook post on Friday.
Scammers create sensational clickbait—often featuring the likeness of a local student—to trick users into visiting sites loaded with pop-up ads or malware. Once the site identifies the visitor as a student or local resident, the attack begins.
A digital safety firm called Proxyware traced the scam to a centralized operation based in South Africa. They found nearly 100 websites using the same tracking code.
“This is a reminder to slow down and think before you click,” the sheriff’s office said in a release. “If a headline seems too outrageous or emotional to be true, it probably is.”
The sheriff’s office urges people to double-check sources, especially if a headline promises something unbelievable or stirs up strong emotions. These tactics often aim to spread misinformation or lead users to harmful content.
If you spot suspicious content or think someone has been targeted, contact the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office. You can also report scams here.