A familiar face has been dominating social media platforms and online forums. The woman, identified as Zyan Cabrera, popularly known as Jerriel 'Cry4zee' (sometimes spelled Cryazee), has been described as a 'Pinay Gold Medalist' involved in a viral scandal. Despite the lack of evidence or actual video, many have been sharing memes featuring Cabrera and making fun of her.
Others have clicked links they believed would lead to the explicit content being discussed. However, what most people missed is that the whole ordeal is just a coordinated online scam designed to exploit curiosity and potentially steal sensitive information. It's a calculated manipulation of human psychology, and here's why it works.
Cabrera's 'Pinay Gold Medalist' viral scandal has been everywhere fromFacebookto Telegram. The rapid dissemination was made possible by social media, which enabled users to share content they believed others were discussing.
According toSimon Kingsnorth, a digital marketing expert and author of Digital Marketing Strategy, there are multiple reasons behind the 'psychology of viral content'. The most likely reason the recent issue spread like wildfire is its powerful narrative and unexpected twists. Cabrera has been labelled as a 'Pinay gold medalist' involved in explicit content—a story that defies expectations for a professional athlete and generates enough curiosity to attract immediate engagement.
The timing couldn't have been better, since it blew up shortly after the 2026 Winter Olympics began. Photos of Cabrera in sportswear appear in various memes, though the snap originated from an innocent TikTok video in which she danced with a young boy. It was easy to make the content viral because it uses bait—a side-by-side photo of a screenshot from her TikTok post next to a blurry or explicit image of a couple in bed—and a hook, which includes hashtags like #goldmedalist. Some add urgency by encouraging others to click the malicious link, making them think they're the only ones who haven't watched the video. The power of FOMO (fear of missing out) encourages comments and shares.
pinay gold medalist viral video➡️https://t.co/jSds7etkn8
Part 2 and 3 napanuod kona hahaGold medalist scandalGold medalist scandal PhilippinesIto bayon⬇️⬇️⬇️💥⚡👇https://t.co/AOnX6WvjBc…https://t.co/AOnX6WvjBc…https://t.co/AOnX6WvjBc…pic.twitter.com/jWvXuhggcK
Unfortunately, following the trend isn't safe. According to reports, the 'Pinay gold medalist' viral scandal is a coordinated online scam. The culprits spread malicious links to hack Facebook accounts or steal information, exploiting users' curiosity about the issue.
When one clicks the link, they're not directed to a video but to a page similar to a Facebook login screen, where they're asked to verify their age or log in to watch the video. Once the user enters their email and password, hackers steal their account. In other cases, clicking the link prompts one to download a 'Video Player Update' or an app to watch the content. However, instead of a video player, the downloaded file is actually spyware that can steal data from one's device,LatestLYreported.
Phishing Scam Uses 'Pinay Gold Medalist' HookSince early February 2026 — coinciding with the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics — scammers...https://t.co/JIDzrWAIKK
Source: International Business Times UK
