Robin Williams Suicide Video Hoax Fools Facebook: Website That ‘Exploits Celebrity Suicides’ Blamed

Facebook users who clicked onto the headline in their news feed that read, “Robin Williams Says Goodbye with his iPhone Video Before Suicide,” quickly realised the potential clip was actually a hoax when they were asked to “share” it first.

According to the International Business Times, curious users immediately became dubious about the sensationalist video when they were forwarded to the sharing page. A website that “exploits celebrity suicide” has now confirmed that it made the dastardly headline.

“Of course, you might be fooled into believing it is genuine,” reports We Live Security. “After all, you have seen one of your Facebook friends share it on their wall.”

You can check out a screen-grab of the horrific video below:

The site then goes on to confirm that the scam asks users to take a survey in order to see the video. Usually websites don’t ask visitors to share before they allow you to watch or read any article. However, the hugely sensationalist title has enticed several readers to actually read the piece, especially since so many people were affected by the sudden and devastating death of the beloved actor and comedian.

The website then earns money through affiliate revenue when those who respond to the survey click onto it. We Live Security’s Graham Cluley was quick to criticise the project, and he pointed out that “the scammers have no qualms about exploiting the death of a famous actor and comedian to earn their cash, and give no thought whatsoever to the distressed family he must have left behind.” It’s literally impossible to disagree with his thoughts.

Meanwhile, earlier today the Inquisitr reported that Rob Schneider has now opened up about the death of his friend. It’s been nearly a week since the world learnt that Williams had taken his own life, and now the comedian has decided to voice his thoughts on his tragic demise.

Schneider, who originally met Williams over two decades ago on Saturday Night Live, even declared that he believes Robin’s medication for the Parkinson’s Disease that he was diagnosed with just before he committed suicide was one of the reasons why he took his own life.

He took to Twitter to write: “Now that we can talk about it. #RobinWilliams was on a drug treating the symptoms of Parkinson’s. One of the SIDE-EFFECTS IS SUICIDE!” He then went on to add: “The evil pharmaceutical industry ADMITS TO OVER 100,000 people in the USA DIE A YEAR FROM “PRESCRIPTION” DRUGS!! #RobinWilliams.”

[Image via Bing.com]