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Whatsapp Heineken ‘free beer’ scam returns
A phishing scam promising Whatsapp users free kegs of Heineken beer has resurfaced.
@Heineken_IE is this a scam? pic.twitter.com/m3ZpqEzi5q
— Ian smith (@ismith83) April 21, 2020
The fraudulent message instructs the reader to click on a link to get a free beer. The link then opens a website which asks you to fill out a one-minute survey on your drinking habits to determine whether you will receive the prize.
(Photo: Whatsapp)
A similar scam first emerged in 2018 but has started to do the rounds again during the coronavirus lockdown.
In response, a spokesperson for Heineken tweeted to confirm that “Yes this is a scam.
“Please do not click the link.”
The brewing giant issued a statement earlier this year warning people that they could be targeted, adding that in some cases, personal names of Heineken officers and the company’s logo are “copied and used for these purposes to give the impression that it is genuine.”
“We have become aware that the HEINEKEN Company, the Heineken® brand name and logo, as well as personal names of HEINEKEN officers, are being fraudulently used for activities in which HEINEKEN is not involved whatsoever,” it said.
“Heineken wants to emphasise that it is neither related to the described lotteries, prize draws or job offers, nor is it connected to any alleged organisation that communicated it.
“Where possible, we report fraud like this to the relevant authorities and ask them to investigate the origin of all these communications.”
“We strongly recommend that you do not open any documents attached to those communications, and that you do not respond in any way to such communications received, hence do not give any personal information or bank details.”
the drinks business has contacted Heineken for further comment.
A similar scam emerged in march 2018, which claimed that Heineken was giving away four 5-litre barrels of beer to celebrate ‘its 140th anniversary’. This claim was also false. The company was founded in 15 February 1864 by Gerard Adriaan Heineken, making it 154 years old at the time, not 140.