Watch out for messages on social media – specifically WhatsApp – that urge recipients to click a link to receive a free keg of Heineken beer who – according to the message – are celebrating their 140th anniversary.
The links are part of a typical fake competition scam where crooks are attempting to lure victims to spammy marketing websites that harvest personal information and target individuals for spam.
Such scams are designed to trick social media users into visiting spammy websites under the belief they have won a prize (they haven’t.) The aim is to lure users into completing surveys and questionnaires that ask for personal information about the user. That information is then later used to target the user with spam, through SMS text, email, phone and postal. Often, users can also be targeted with scams including identity theft.
Such messages and links are frequently posted by friends on social media platforms like Facebook or sent as messages through apps like WhatsApp. Friends post these links because these spammy marketing webpages falsely claim that those seeking free prizes have to share the “offer” with their friends before they can claim a prize.
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But by the time a victim has shared the link with their friends and realised there is actually no prize on offer, the damage is done and their friends have received the link.
Additionally it is worth noting that despite the messages claiming this is for Heineken’s 140th anniversary, the famous Dutch beer has roots spanning over 150 years.
Heineken released the following message on social media –
Please be advised there is currently a ‘Free Beer’ phishing scam circulating through social networks. The promotion states Heineken® is giving away free kegs in celebration of its 140th Anniversary, and encourages recipients to share the message. This is indeed a scam and is not sanctioned by HEINEKEN.
Promotions of this type will always be announced via official Heineken® channels. We do not advise consumers to click on the link, share personal data, or share the message within their networks.
When in doubt, please contact the consumer service hotline in your market.
Remember, don’t trust links offering freebies on social media that lead to unknown websites asking for your personal information. Promotions for a particular brand are nearly always carried out on the official social media channels of that brand, not by passing on links through messaging apps.
We have more information on these types of scams here.