What Is the “There Are Pictures of You in It” Message?

If you’ve recently received a “There Are Pictures of You in It” message to your phone via Telegram or another messaging app, DO NOT CLICK ITS LINK! It’s a scam! This applies even if the message is from a friend or a person you know. The following paragraphs will tell you more about this scam – how it works, how to recognize similar text scams, and what to do in case you’ve already clicked the link and entered the details required on the other side. Read on if you want to learn how to stay safe!

What Is the “There Are Pictures of You in It” Scam?

The “There Are Pictures of You in It” message is a typical text scam, similar to the Xblgo Scam, that aims to steal your username and password for the respective messaging platform. From there on, the scammers can use the newly-gained access to your account for malicious purposes, such as money theft, blackmailing, or furthering the chain of scams by sending similar messages on your behalf to people in your contacts list.

We’ve seen many similar scams in the past, but this one leverages the trust users tend to have towards people in their contacts list. After all, if your friend or cousin sends you a link, saying there’s some unexpected picture of you on the linked page, you’d have little reason to suspect a scam. And that’s how they get you. The scammers play to your trust in the sender coupled with your natural curiosity to see who took a picture of you without you knowing it.

But there are still ways to recognize the scam on time, which I’ll talk about in a bit.

How Does the “There are pictures of you in it” Scam Work?

First, I should explain the exact mechanism of this scam. It follows a familiar chain of deception that’s both simple but also quite effective. The good thing is once you know how these scams work, they become infinitely easier to spot:

1. The Hook: You receive a message claiming to include photos of you. The sender often appears to be a known contact, which adds credibility. The wording typically plays on curiosity, such as “You won’t believe what I found” or “Is this really you?”
2. The Bait: The message includes a link that appears legitimate. It might lead to what looks like a social media platform or cloud storage site. The design is often convincing because it mimics real platforms down to logos and layouts.
3. The Trap: Once you click, you’re asked to log in to access the content. This login page is a phishing site, designed to steal your username and password. Alternatively, clicking the link may trigger malware that downloads onto your device without your knowledge.
4. The Damage: With your credentials in hand, scammers can access your accounts, make unauthorized purchases, or attempt to gain access to other linked accounts. If malware is involved, they may monitor your activity or steal sensitive data stored on your device.

If you’ve clicked on the link but haven’t entered your details on the following page or downloaded anything, you are likely safe and shouldn’t worry. The scam is only considered successful if you’ve performed either of these two actions after clicking the link. The opening of the link is, in itself, not harmful.

Why Is The “There are pictures of you in it” Scam So Effective?

Text scams have varying levels of effectiveness, but it seems many people have fallen for this particular “There Are Pictures of You in It” scam. The reason is obvious – people are curious as to when, why, and how someone took a photo of them.

Furthermore, someone you know and trust appears to be sending you the message, so no reason to doubt the legitimacy of the included link, right? Wrong. On the Internet, you should always scrutinize suspicious links, no matter who sends them.

But the urgent language used in these messages is designed to prompt an emotional response and not a logical one. Claims about photos—especially in a potentially embarrassing or compromising context—trigger an emotional reaction. This urgency can override your usual caution, making you act before thinking.

Additionally, the phishing sites used in this scam are often designed with incredible attention to detail. They mimic legitimate platforms so closely that even cautious users can be fooled. The combination of trust, curiosity, and urgency makes this scam highly effective.

Recognizing the “There are pictures of you in it” Scam Warning Signs

Even advanced and highly convincing scams like the “There Are Pictures of You in It” one isn’t perfect and have some sort of red flag that gives them away. You just need to know what to look for and approach with suspicion every unexpected link, or file, or offer you receive on the Internet (no matter who sends it).

Unexpected Messages

If you receive a message out of the blue about photos of you, treat it with suspicion. Genuine friends or contacts typically provide more context when sharing links or concerns.

Urgent Language

Messages that push you to act quickly, such as “Click now” or “You need to see this immediately,” are often scams. This sense of urgency is designed to cloud your judgment.

Unfamiliar Links

Even if a link looks legitimate, take a closer look. Scammers often use shortened URLs or domains with slight misspellings to trick users. For example, a link might say “faceb00k.com” instead of “facebook.com.”

Requests for Login Information

Legitimate platforms rarely require you to log in again when accessing shared content. If a link asks you to input your credentials, especially on a page that looks unfamiliar, it’s likely a phishing attempt.

What Should You Do if You Receive The “There are pictures of you in it” Scam Message?

If you just got this message but haven’t entered any details or downloaded anything from the linked page, you should be pretty safe. However, it’s important to not leave it at that and take some extra care to ensure your virtual privacy is secure:

1. Avoid Clicking the Link: Resist the urge to see what’s in the photos. Even if curiosity is strong, clicking could compromise your device or information.
2. Verify with the Sender: If the message appears to come from someone you know, contact them directly using another communication method. Often, the sender’s account has been hacked, and they may not even know the message was sent.
3. Report the Scam: Many platforms allow you to report phishing messages. Whether through SMS or social media, flagging the message can help others avoid the same trap.
4. Delete the Message: After verifying and reporting, delete the message to eliminate the risk of accidental interaction later.

If you receive further messages of that sort, ignore them too and if they are from unknown senders outside of your contacts list, block their phone numbers. On the other hand, if they are from people you know, contact them via alternative means and warn them that their accounts have likely been hacked.

What to Do If You’ve Already Clicked the “There are pictures of you in it” Link

As I said above, if you clicked the link but didn’t interact with the page you got sent to, you should still be fine. However, you do need to take some extra precautions to ensure safety:

• Change Your Passwords: Immediately update the passwords for any accounts that could be compromised. Use strong, unique passwords for each platform.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adding 2FA to your accounts makes it harder for scammers to gain access, even if they have your password.
• Scan Your Device: Use a trusted antivirus program to check for and remove malware. Some scams use malicious software to steal data or monitor activity.
• Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your email, social media, and financial accounts for unusual activity. Report unauthorized transactions or changes immediately.

And if you did click the link and then added your details, quickly contact the customer support of the respective platform and ask them to block your account so it doesn’t get misused.

On the other hand, if you downloaded some suspicious file, I recommend factory resetting the device if it’s a smartphone or a table. If it’s a Windows PC or a Mac, I recommend using the SpyHunter 5 removal softer to clean your system from the malware that’s almost certainly in it. You can find SpyHunter 5 on our site.

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Tips on How to Stay Safe From Scams Like the “There Are Pictures of You in It” Message

Finally, I’ll give you some practical advice that, if adopted, will let you stay safe and avoid falling for the “There Are Pictures of You in It” message and other similar scams in the future. Note that there are millions of such scams on the Internet, so being informed and able to spot them is essential.

Preventing Future Scams

Protecting yourself from scams like this requires proactive measures. Strengthen your defenses with these strategies:

• Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Messages: If a message feels out of character or too urgent, pause and verify before acting.
• Limit Public Information: Scammers often gather details from social media to make their messages more convincing. Avoid sharing personal information like your email or phone number publicly.
• Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common scam tactics. The more you know, the easier it becomes to recognize and avoid phishing attempts.
• Use Secure Messaging Apps: Apps with encryption can reduce the chances of interception or spoofing.

Helping Others Stay Safe

Raising awareness is one of the most effective ways to combat phishing scams. Share your experiences with friends and family, especially those who may be less familiar with these tactics. Discuss the warning signs and encourage them to verify messages before clicking on links.

If you’ve been targeted, report the scam to consumer protection agencies or your country’s cybersecurity organization. These reports contribute to broader efforts to combat phishing and educate the public.

Why Vigilance Matters

The “There are pictures of you in it” scam is designed to exploit trust and fear, but it can be defeated with vigilance. By staying alert and adopting strong security practices, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to this and other phishing scams.

Remember, no legitimate message will demand urgent action without context. When faced with suspicious messages, pausing to verify can save you from significant trouble. Protecting your online security isn’t just about avoiding scams—it’s about maintaining your peace of mind in an increasingly digital world.