When posts about a certain 'Pinay Gold Medalist Video' began flooding social media during the initial phase of the 2026 Winter Olympics, they looked like just another viral scandal.
However, after fact-checking, cybersecurity experts found that the trend is a textbook example of what's known as an MMS trap, a phishing scheme that uses fake multimedia 'leaks' to trick people into handing over their passwords or downloading malware.
In this case, the name associated with the hoax, Filipino content creator Zyan Cabrera, also known as Jerriel Cry4zee, appears to have been drawn into it without any connection to the claims.
MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service. It is a format that allows users to send videos, images and audio clips via text or messaging apps.
An MMS trap takes advantage of that format. Instead of sending plain text like traditional 'smishing' scams, fraudsters circulate posts that appear to contain leaked videos or explicit images. The visual element makes them more convincing and intriguing, increasing the likelihood of a click.
According to cybersecurity firmProofpoint, MMS abuse has risen sharply since mid-2025. Analyst Ciaran Boyle said scammers are increasingly using small media files and visual bait to bypass filters and increase engagement.
The Federal Trade Commission has repeatedly warned about 'smishing' campaigns that use fraudulent multimedia content to lure victims to fake login pages. FTC consumer expertCaresse Jackmanhas advised users to verify sources before clicking, noting that many of these scams result in account takeovers.
In short, the video is bait. The real goal is your login credentials.
The posts began appearing in early February, just as the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics opened on 6 February.
They typically featured a split-screen: a split-screen image on one side, an innocent dance clip from Cabrera's TikTok account on the other, and a blurred, explicit thumbnail. Captions suggested she was a Filipina Olympic gold medalist caught in a leaked 'boyfriend video.' None of that was reportedly true.
Source: International Business Times UK
