Iraq’s MoI Warns Facebook Users Against Phishing Scams
According to the official warning, a wave of fake messages has been circulating on Facebook, falsely informing users that their accounts are at risk of being closed due to alleged violations of the platform’s terms and guidelines.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraq’s Ministry of Interior (MoI) has issued an urgent warning to Facebook users about a surge in phishing attempts aimed at stealing personal information and compromising social media accounts.
The alert, released on Saturday by the Iraqi Electronic Security Center—an entity affiliated with the Federal Ministry of Interior—cautioned users against falling victim to fraudulent messages designed to deceive them into revealing sensitive data.
According to the official warning, a wave of fake messages has been circulating on Facebook, falsely informing users that their accounts are at risk of being closed due to alleged violations of the platform’s terms and guidelines.
The fraudulent messages instruct recipients to click on a provided link to verify their identity, a deceptive tactic commonly used by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to personal accounts.
The Iraqi Electronic Security Center confirmed that these messages are part of a broader hacking attempt aimed at compromising Facebook accounts and harvesting private information. The center strongly advised users not to click on suspicious links or enter personal details unless they can verify the authenticity of the source.
Cybersecurity experts emphasize that phishing scams of this nature are designed to exploit users' fears of losing access to their accounts, thereby pressuring them into revealing login credentials or other sensitive information.
Once attackers gain control of an account, they can misuse personal data, spread further malicious links, or even demand ransom for account recovery.
The warning comes amid a notable rise in social media engagement across Iraq. According to the latest statistics from the Digital Media Center (DMC), the number of Facebook users in the country has grown significantly over the past year, surpassing 20.1 million in 2025.
This increasing digital presence makes users more vulnerable to cyber threats, underscoring the importance of heightened online security awareness.
Authorities continue to urge the public to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited messages, particularly those requesting personal information. Users are advised to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on their accounts, verify suspicious communications directly with platform administrators, and report any phishing attempts to relevant cybersecurity agencies.
