WhatsApp users need to be on guard and stay alert to a bogus message allegedly offering a free gift from Amazon. The scam WhatsApp message that is being circulated claims that Amazon are offering “free gifts for everyone” as part of “30th anniversary celebrations”. When WhatsApp users click on a link in the message they are told they need to fill out a survey which “only takes a minute” to be eligible for a free Huawei Mate 40 Pro 5G.
To try to entice people more to fill out the survey, a timer can be seen on the bogus page which shows how long WhatsApp users have to claim the alleged offer.
After entering personal details, the website WhatsApp users have been directed to shows boxes on screen they need to click on.
Once they have won their alleged prize people targeted by the scam are told to forward the ‘offer’ on to five WhatsApp groups or 20 friends.
They are also told to download an app so they claim their ‘free gift’.
But, as Livemint reported, this is all part of an elaborate scam to try and get people to hand over personal details.
Amazon are not holding 30th anniversary celebrations right now, and in fact the retail giant has not passed the three decade threshold yet.
Amazon was founded back in 1994, so Amazon will mark its 30th birthday in July 2024.
At the moment the majority of reports about these scams are coming from India, but cons such as these have the danger to spread.
If you receive this message don’t enter any personal details and do not forward it onto any WhatsApp contacts.
When you receive such a message there can be giveaways that it’s not legit.
For instance, with this Amazon scam the URL that people are directed to is not an official Amazon webpage.
And the most obvious red flag is on this page Amazon is spelt incorrectly.
A huge, world renowned firm such as Amazon wouldn’t let a typo like that slip through any official marketing material.
