WhatsApp has issued a warning for users to avoid a message popping up on the app that offers the chance to win “5,000 coolers full of Heineken for your Dad”.
There are tell-tale signs to look out for with scams like this, but they often look deceptively official.
WhatsApp has encrypted end-to-end messaging so any unsolicited texts should be immediately viewed with suspicion.
Any unknown offers or chances to win prizes are almost always a scam and the latest competition to win free booze is exactly the same.
Thankfully, WhatsApp is already cracking down on the scam, but it is best to stay safe and avoid giving away any details to unknown recipients.
What is the WhatsApp scam?
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The scam claims the “Heineken Beer Father’s Day Contest 2022” will give winners “5,000 coolers full of Heineken for your Dad”.
The message comes with a picture attached showing an 18-pack cooler of Heineken.
With it is a link at appears to take you through to Heineken’s website for a competition to win the prize.
However, as soon as you click on the link, it immediately puts you at risk of phishing scams, malicious websites and spam.
The aim of this is to steal your information, bank details and more.
What has Heineken said about the scam?
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The beer company immediately made its consumers know that the message was not affiliated with it and warned WhatsApp users of the scam.
On their official Twitter account, it posted: “This is a scam. Thank you for highlighting it to us. Please don’t click on links or forward any messages. Many thanks.”
Heineken is currently not offering any such contests or similar chances to win prizes.
However, this isn’t the first-time alcoholic beverage giant was caught in the middle of a scam, as a similar one was pulled in 2020 leading people to believe they could win free kegs of Heineken.
Just as they have done now, Heineken issued a statement warning people not to be tricked by the scam and that they had no affiliation with any such offers.