Grace Gianoukas, the well-known Brazilian actress, became the target of hackers on December 19, 2023, when false news about her death circulated through her compromised Instagram account. The hackers not only misled her extensive following of over 200,000 but also employed the account to execute financial scams.
The alarming events unfolded as Gianoukas went about her day, preparing to meet friends. Her Instagram was infiltrated, and posts announced her death, sparking panic and concern among her fans. Soon, messages followed, enticing her followers with fraudulent investment opportunities promising returns between R$ 300 and R$ 5,000. The scammers claimed this was part of a 'marketing strategy', weaving lies to exploit the fears of Gianoukas’s supporters.
Gianoukas, 61, who recently starred as Leda, the mother of the character Júpiter on the show Família é Tudo, was quick to address the situation. "Hackearam minhas contas nas redes sociais, estão aplicando um golpe! Não caiam," ("They hacked my social media accounts and are pulling off a scam! Don’t fall for it!") she declared through the account of fellow actress Daphne Bozaski, who assisted her in warning the public.
Adding to her message, Gianoukas firmly stated, "Eu estou bem viva, não morri!" ("I am very much alive, I did not die!"). She emphasized her well-being, reassuring her fans from her vacation at Serra Gaúcha. Gianoukas conveyed her shock over the matter, explaining how it triggered worry among those close to her. "Quem já passou por isso sabe que é uma situação muito desagradável, envolve a gente em um turbilhão de acontecimentos." ("Anyone who's been through this knows it's very unpleasant, and it drags us through a whirlwind of events.")
The fraudulent scheme also exploited the emotional turmoil of her followers. After the announcement of her death, stories filled with desperation and financial deception emerged. According to reports, the hackers presented themselves as 'investment experts' to lure unsuspecting fans. One individual claimed, "Me chamo Edmar, recebi uma indicação da Grace, entrei em contato com o Alex, fiz um investimento e recebi um retorno de R$ 1,1 mil," ("My name is Edmar; I received a recommendation from Grace, contacted Alex, made an investment, and received R$ 1,100 back") as they attempted to forge credibility among followers.
Gianoukas's actions were not isolated, as previous incidents had occurred involving other Brazilian celebrities like Fábio Porchat and Sophie Charlotte, highlighting the rampant issue of social media fraud targeting public figures. "Isso não existe! A gente só ganha dinheiro trabalhando,” ("This does not exist! We only earn money through honest work"), the actress reiterated, denouncing the unethical behavior of the criminals preying on her identity.
She urged her fans to stay vigilant, encouraging them to report the hacked account and refrain from interacting with scam links. The emotional fallout from such events is considerable, as noted by Gianoukas, whose experiences revealed the chaotic aftermath of having one's identity manipulated for deceitful gains.
Die-hard fans and casual followers alike felt the shockwaves of Gianoukas's ordeal. The outpouring of concern and disbelief reflected the personal stakes of online safety and information integrity. "Uma série de coisas acontecem que pode deixar a gente muito nervoso" ("A series of things happen which can make us very anxious"), she remarked, articulately capturing the distressing whirlwind effect on both herself and her fans.
Ongoing awareness and protective measures against such scams hold significant importance for both individuals and their online communities. Even as Gianoukas takes time to relax after her intense work schedule, she is forced to face the additional stress of combating malicious fraud. Social media should serve as platforms for connection and community but, as this incident exemplifies, they can quickly turn treacherous when safety measures falter.
The hacking incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in the digital space and the responsibility of all users to navigate these platforms with caution.
