Internet fraudsters also targeted Petr Gražulis: they spread lies about his death

Allegedly killed the money earned

On Wednesday, a Facebook user posted a link to an article titled “Tragic news: Petras Gražulis was found murdered in his apartment.”

After that, it is written that “the suspect fled the scene, but the several-hour run ended with his arrest near the Polish border.” The killer’s motive allegedly shocked not only the officers, but also the relatives.

Screenshot from Facebook/sFalse news regarding ex-parliamentarian Petr Gražulis is being spread on the social network Facebook

“The person who reported the incident quickly ended the conversation. According to the police officers, when he called back, the man said that he had knocked on the door of the specified apartment, but when he heard the threats uttered by a man, he was scared and went to his apartment next door,” the text says.

Finally, it is added that the ex-parliamentarian made a lot of money on a certain investment platform, so he became a victim of a friend, and it goes to the advertising of this platform.

The internet user who shared the link added a laconic comment: “Pete (from the name Petras – ed. past.) is not there.”

This post has already been shared by almost 80 people on Facebook. One of them spoke even more strongly the next day – regarding the work of journalists.

Although the netizen mentioned “Delfi”, the circulating screenshots of the shocking text show its logo and the name of the alleged author – journalist Jaunius Matonis, and the essay was published on the website on Thursday delfisulaikytas.comthis is not the address of this portal.

The portal journalist himself denied wrote something similar and warned that reading the text might be dangerous: “Caution! Scammers! Dear readers, neither I nor Delphi have anything to do with this “article”. This is a scam, do not open it or click on any links.”

Another article and webpage

More similar posts appeared in various Facebook ad groups.

“You and your close friends, be careful,” warned a couple of netizens who shared a link to an essay regarding Mr. Gražulis. One post was removed from one group in less than half an hour.

Other Facebook users wondered: “How might you raise a hand once morest someone like that…”

Screenshot from Facebook/False news regarding ex-parliamentarian Petr Gražulis is being spread on the social network Facebook

However, they shared a link to another text and even a web page – delfi.day. This is also a misleading address created. Here are other details at the beginning of the essay: the alleged criminal was arrested around 6:34 p.m. near the Polish border, they tried to cross the border through forest roads.

Thinking regarding the police

It is easy to find out that a falsehood is being spread in other ways – by searching for information on the Internet. Although P. Gražulis since mid-December is no longer an MP, regarding this well-known politician, since 1996. who worked in the Seimas, the death should be reported on the parliament’s website, but nothing like that not published.

For the portal lrytas.lt the politician admitted that he received many calls and messages from people who believed the lie. He stated that he does not rule out the possibility of contacting the police regarding the essay distributed on the Internet.

In the media or elsewhere on the Internet there is no such news either. It is possible to find only reports that the Seimas canceled the mandate of Mr. Gražulis due to breaking the oath, as a result refused register it candidate to presidents.

Screenshot from Facebook/False news regarding ex-parliamentarian Petr Gražulis is being spread on the social network Facebook

They also lie regarding Šarūnas Stepukonis

Recently, another similar lie has been spread – regarding the alleged death of former BaltCap fund partner Šarūnas Stepukonis. These posts are posted incognito 15min name, although the portal has not published anything similar.

Also read: Was Šarūnas Stepukonis really found in the river? Portal 15min never announced it

Also read: Lies regarding Šarūnas Stepukonis, shows the victims of the fire and the host of shows and events

Websites that publish false articles are registered recently, their addresses resemble those of large portals, their logos are used, and they have a similar design. This is a common scheme to entice the privileged few. Disinformation Analysis Center Debunk.org has explained it more than once.

The content of these clones is usually related to topical or socially sensitive topics, such as crime news, get-rich-quick stories. In order to attract attention, the most discussed news, scandals are chosen, manipulating the content in such a way that the real event seems to be related to the allegedly revealed opportunity to earn a lot of money.

Also read: Debunk.org: Fraudsters use names and faces of famous people to find victims

Representatives of the Bank of Lithuania and the police explained herehow to check out unheard of get-rich-quick platforms and protect your money from scammers.

15min verdict: lie. The information regarding the death of Mr. Gražulis is false. It is used to attract attention and extort money from gullible Internet users.

ADDED 17.20 Added a second section.

The publication was prepared in 15 minutes in partnership with Metait aims to stop the spread of misleading news on the social network. More regarding the program and its rules – here.