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Warnings about Facebook pirates who copy other users' profiles began circulating widely on that social media site in December 2012 and have reappeared periodically since then: It is true in a general sense that some scammers have engaged in Facebook cloning, a process in which the scammer creates a new Facebook account using a profile picture and similar name taken from an existing user, then sends out friend requests which appear to originate from that user. (The requests often claim the sender has just set up a new Facebook account or was locked out of his previous account.) The end purpose of such scams varies: it may be to send Facebook users links to malicious websites that propagate malware, to perpetrate phishing schemes, or to collect personal information from users that can be used for identity theft. However, contrary to the example texts reproduced above, Facebook cloning is not a new scam, nor is there any evidence that its occurrence has increased greatly in recent days. (It also isn't a hack, as the scam requires no special privileges nor breaking in to any Facebook accounts to accomplish.) In general, Facebook users should always be cautious with friend requests: attempt to verify their validity before accepting them, be wary of additional requests from persons you have already befriended, and take care about what information you share with friends on Facebook.
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