Phishing Scams Claim Apple Offers Free Many Scratched iPhones
Viral information circulated on social media these days claims that Apple gave away 750 iPhones that cannot be sold on the market due to some scratches on their bodies. This Facebook post is widely shared on social media and attracts a large number of Facebook users to follow this announcement. However, upon an investigation, we found that the above information was false.
SOCIAL MEDIA CLAIM
Social media claims are spreading that Apple is giving away new iPhones to social media users who simply write specific words in Facebook post comments.
The claims have been widely circulated on social media, attracting numerous Facebook users to participate in the campaign.
Below is the snapshot of the Facebook post on July 06, 2024, saying “NEWS APPLE GIVEAWAY. Comment South Africa or Zambia … Inbox me on Facebook now to get a free iPhone 14 pro max. Gifts up for grabs include iPhones, Samsung smartphones, ear pods, Apple laptops, power banks, and lots more. Totally free, delivery would be done to your doorsteps (free delivery). All you just have to do is activate your iPhone then you get your package. Delivered to you immediately. What are you waiting for, grab yours now!! … Comment South Africa or Zambia … Inbox me on Facebook to claim your winning.”
Another Facebook page suggested social media users text to it by clicking on a link attached to the Facebook post to claim the iPhone gift which is given free.
Below is the capture of the Facebook post which attracted a lot of Facebook users to participate in it.
This kind of social media claim is also going viral in Cambodia after a piece of viral information circulated on social media said Apple will be offering free up to 750 new phones that could not be marketed due to minor scratches.
The same message went on to say that the offer would only be given randomly to anyone who wrote the word "Hello" in the comment.
This content is heavily circulated on various social media platforms and garners significant engagement from individuals who speak Khmer.
The following is the snapshot from a social media post on February 18, 2024: "Hello everyone! In 2024, the Apple team has made a special announcement. We are pleased to inform you that we will be distributing 750 new phones that couldn't be sold due to minor scratches. They will be randomly sent to anyone who writes a greeting. This offer applies to all countries."
The information was also shared on other Facebook pages and received thousands of shares and numerous comments from social media users. Below is a snapshot from a social media post on June 2, 2024, with the same text as above.
Below is a snapshot of the same information that was shared on Facebook by another Facebook page on February 18, 2024. This post has been shared over 4,000 times, and many Khmer-speaking Facebook users have engaged with the content.
Below is a snapshot of the information that was posted on social media on July 1, 2024, and has been shared many times, attracting numerous social media users to get involved.
Below is a snapshot from another Facebook page post on June 30, 2024, which was also shared by social media users.
FACT CHECK
Fact Crescendo Cambodia initiated an investigation by seeking clarifications from Apple, authorized local distributors, and digital security experts. This led to the revelation of the following facts.
We initially examined the Facebook pages that shared this information and discovered that these pages are not affiliated with Apple Inc. and are not the official Facebook pages of any authorized Apple Inc. distributors or resellers.
See the name of the Facebook page in the red circle, proving it has no association with the American tech giant and iPhone manufacturer.
Furthermore, we discovered the images used in the Facebook post were taken from a Brazilian iPhone store iPhone Shop that posted the images some months earlier.
For example, the image of a woman carrying an iPhone and a carrying box printed “iPhone Shop. RJ” was posted on the Facebook page called iPhone Shop. RJ in March.
As other photos are not available on the Facebook page, they can be found on the Instagram account of iPhoneShop. RJ here.
This proves the social media claim described above uses photos from another country that are not related to South Africa or Zambia.
Fact Crescendo Cambodia could not reach out to the iPhoneShop. RJ for clarification.
For the second post described above, we clicked on the link as suggested. Then, ESET antivirus warns the link is a kind of “potential phishing attempt” which is a trick to lure visitors into submitting personal information including credit card and login data.
According to a 2014 Business Insider article, Apple Inc. has no official Facebook page. Fans create any page named Apple on Facebook.
To dig out why Apple Inc. does not have an official Facebook page, the Business Insider article said that both American tech giants have conflicted for some time. Apple Inc. does not have a Twitter account either. Read the full article here
Big smartphone manufacturers such as Samsung, Apple's major competitor, all utilize social media for marketing. However, Apple Inc. has opted to establish its retail presence in developing markets worldwide.
However, the American tech giant does not have an official store in Cambodia, and its products are authorized for distribution and retail to five local companies: iOne Cambodia, Cactus Cambodia, Digibox Cambodia, Koung Y Phone Shop, and UNI YOUNG Mobile Phone Retailer.
All five local companies have their individual Facebook pages to promote Apple products. Upon reviewing their Facebook pages, we didn't find any advertisements saying that minorly scratched iPhones would be given away.
Fact Crescendo Cambodia has reached out to the company and the mobile phone shop that distributes and retails the iPhone and other Apple products, but no response has been received yet.
Fact Crescendo Cambodia will update further upon receiving any response from Apple or the company authorized to distribute and retail Apple products in Cambodia.
We checked the Apple Inc. website and did not find any announcement stating that new iPhones that have minor scratches would be offered free to customers.
Below is a screenshot from Apple's website on July 8, 2024, displaying the promotion of various products by the American tech giant.
Such gifts posted on social media have been prevalent for years and are recognized as online scams by digital security experts.
Earlier this year, Cambodia’s Anti Cyber Crime Department within the Ministry of Interior issued a warning about the risks faced by internet users, particularly those who engage in online activities or advertising.
A digital security trainer Chhit Kanika says such deceptive advertising has been around for a long time, using the names of well-known companies such as Toyota and Coca-Cola.
The digital security expert explained that these enticing advertisements are phishing attacks, aiming to prompt social media users to take actions such as clicking on links or submitting personal information.
Ms. Kanika advised social media users to avoid getting involved in such Facebook posts and to comply with any instructions or requirements in the future. She cautioned that personal information leaks could occur, which might be exploited by malicious individuals for nefarious purposes.
Last week, Fact Crescendo Cambodia reported a similar case in which a major supermarket in Cambodia offered prizes of up to $5,000 to 350 customers simply by writing "Happy Birthday."
We have discovered that this case is indeed a scam, and Makro Cambodia has denied any involvement in such fraudulent activity on social media. For further details, read here.
CONCLUSION
Fact Crescendo Cambodia has confirmed that rumors suggesting Apple was distributing slightly scratched iPhones are false. Companies licensed to distribute and retail iPhones in Cambodia do not release such information. Additionally, digital security experts have identified such advertising as an online scam.
Title:Phishing Scams Claim Apple Offers Free Many Scratched iPhones
Fact Check By: Jay UdomResult: False
