The dissemination of unauthenticated publications on social media platforms has increased over the years and the factors, congruent to the extrinsic effects of these publications, are less studied and analyzed. It is important to understand the relationship between social media content deception and the sharing behavior of all the readers who engage with it on a daily basis. This research studies the perception of 16 Malaysian individuals on the antecedents of falling prey and sharing fake news as well as their perceptions on the general repercussions that are deemed prominent. Emphasizing on the prevalence of mass sharing, these publications continue to significantly impact readers with time, as exemplified in the findings of the research. Study findings also indicate that crucial periods, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, inculcate curiosity and vulnerability and thus making it easier for readers to fall prey to social media postings that serve as a facade for all misinformation and disinformation.