A video supposedly posted by the Twitter account "@Viriako" has recently exploded in popularity online, prompting countless users to search for the shocking footage. However, upon closer inspection, the peculiar Viriako video appears to be nothing more than an orchestrated scam meant to exploit viewers‘ curiosity and drive traffic to external websites.
As social media marketing experts, it‘s essential we help users understand how to identify and avoid the manipulative tactics behind viral scams like this one on Twitter. By analyzing the anatomy of the Viriako hoax, we can better spot similar ploys and protect our community from deceit.
Manufacturing a Viral Sensation on Twitter
To kickstart their scam, the operators behind @Viriako first focused on building an impression of legitimacy through artificial engagement and a purchased follower base.
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The account, which currently boasts 22k followers, has no original tweets of its own – a major red flag.
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However, a closer look reveals these to be inactive bot accounts or fakes; over 95% show no profile pictures, tweets, or interaction. This is a key indicator of artificial inflation.
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According to TwitterAudit, over 85% of @Viriako‘s followers appear fraudulent. For context, accounts with over 60% fake followers are deemed "suspicious" by the audit‘s standards.
With an ill-gotten audience in place, the next phase leveraged two tried-and-tested social engineering tactics – manufactured hype and engineered virality.
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Other accounts like @Tenm56 (18k followers) spread fabricated rumors about @Viriako posting an explicit or shocking video.
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This social engineering creates intrigue and the perception that a major viral moment is unfolding.
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Without yet seeing the video themselves, users propagate the engagement further through shares and tags – priming the content to spread rapidly.
Driving the Scam: Affiliate Links and Psychological Triggers
The affiliate link hidden in @Viriako‘s profile bio is the final piece of the puzzle.
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The Beacons.ai URL redirects to an external site prompting visitors to signup for exclusive content or "view the banned video".
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These pages utilize additional psychological triggers like urgency, social proof of "17 people viewing", and more.
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Users must then submit an email address and payment information to proceed.
Similar affiliate scams on Twitter netted $600,000 in three months by promoting non-existent Hunter Biden content, indicating a highly profitable model at work.
According to data from Socialinsider, typical conversion rates for malicious affiliate links of this nature range from 10-30%.
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For @Viriako‘s 22k bot followers, that could translate to 2,200-6,600 users signing up and submitting payment data.
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With monthly subscription fees ranging from $10-30, the potential earnings from such a scam easily reach the tens or hundreds of thousands.
This demonstrates why building even the appearance of an audience is worthwhile for scammers – it directly translates to greater potential profits.
Anatomy of a Twitter Scam – Red Flags to Watch For
Based on the Viriako affair and other similar hoaxes, here are the telltale warning signs that a viral Twitter video may be a scam:
1. Account posting it has an inflated, bot-heavy follower base
These are major red flags:
- High follower count, but little-to-no engagement on tweets
- Most followers have default profiles, no tweets, etc. indicating fakes
- TwitterAudit score lower than 60%
2. Manufactured hype spreads ahead of actual video
Trending by rumor alone indicates illusion of engagement. Watch for:
- Accounts claiming video exists but not sharing it
- No tangible evidence like screenshots emerging
3. Affiliate links present in account profiles and posts
Usually the end goal of driving traffic and signups for profit.
4. Sketchy redirects to external domains
Typically pressuring visitors to signup, share data, enter payments.
5. Lack of uploads on major video platforms
For legitimate viral videos, copies inevitably emerge on YouTube, Instagram, etc. Scams tend to lack this.
6. Little interaction from real users
Check comments and tags for authentic engagement. Scams tend to show bot activity only.
By keeping these red flags in mind, we can quickly identify the kinds of deceptive tactics used in the Viriako scam and avoid falling victim when the next viral hoax emerges.
The Risks to Brands and Marketers
As social media marketers, we must also consider how video scams pose risks beyond individual users. Brand safety should be top of mind, as brands often rely on trending topics and hashtags to reach broader audiences.
Viral scams can tarnish brand image and credibility through:
- Accidental association with misleading content
- Retweets or links shared by audience members
- Paid ads running against unsafe scam videos or hashtags
- Fraudulent promotion by fake bot accounts
Proactively monitoring hashtags, striking suspicious partnerships, and implementing safety tools like Hootsuite Insights can help shield brands from these dangers.
Staying abreast of scam trends also provides an opportunity to demonstrate thought leadership and strengthen consumer trust. Brands that actively educate their audience on identifying fraud establish themselves as authoritative voices online.
Leveraging Scam Trend Analysis for Marketing Insights
While the notion of video scams on Twitter may seem entirely negative at first glance, closer study can provide social media marketers with useful insights into audience psychology and content trends.
Viral hoaxes only succeed by capitalizing on topics and tropes known to effectively manipulate human emotions and bias. Tracking the evolution of these "social engineering" tactics provides a window into changing consumer motivations online.
Analyzing reactive scam content also frequently hints at emerging trends, allowing brands to pivot faster and participate in rising conversations. Just as scam videos profit by anticipating audience interest, legal marketers can derive similar intelligence.
Essentially, understanding how and why fraudulent viral schemes operate unlocks an array of macro marketing insights. Treating scam analysis as an invaluable listening tool can strengthen audience targeting and topical expertise.
How to Actually Find Real Viral Videos
For Twitter users seeking legitimate trending videos, here are some best practices:
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Leverage trusted sources – Follow verified accounts, reputable hashtags, and aggregators posting notable viral content. But still vet thoroughly.
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Cross-reference multiple platforms – Search directly on YouTube, Instagram, Reddit etc. Scams tend to be isolated.
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Check engagement metrics – Are likes, comments and shares evenly distributed? Or concentrated around bots/fakes?
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Read recent comments – These often organically mention already viral videos gaining popularity.
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Avoid knee-jerk reactions – Reflect on your motivations and the broader context before viewing, liking or sharing.
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Consider the source – Does the account posting have a history of legitimate uploads? Are they aiming to exploit?
Applying even basic media literacy skills in this manner can reliably surface authentic viral videos on Twitter, while filtering out scam content posted in bad faith.
Conclusion
As we‘ve explored, the Viriako video that recently took Twitter by storm demonstrates numerous tactics used to manufacture viral scams and drive affiliate profits. By better understanding signs like artificial follower bases, manufactured hype, and malicious links, social media users can avoid falling victim when the next viral deception emerges.
There are also valuable lessons here for marketers seeking to safeguard brands, analyze audience behavior, and distill actionable insights around trending topics. With vigilance and insight, we can keep our communities informed and build greater transparency around online scams aiming to exploit the inherent trust and openness of social platforms.
