Beware the FAKE Carrefour Christmas Giveaway Scam – Read This
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
The holiday season often brings out the generosity in brands, with many launching special giveaways and contests as a token of appreciation for their loyal customers. However, cybercriminals are notorious for taking advantage of this generosity by launching deceptive scams that prey on people’s desire to win free gifts and prizes.
One such prevalent scam this Christmas season involves the prominent retailer Carrefour. Scammers are sending messages via WhatsApp and social media, falsely claiming that the recipients have been selected to win big-ticket prizes like an Apple iPhone 14 Pro, gift cards or Samsung Smart TV in a Carrefour holiday giveaway. But it’s nothing more than a well-crafted phishing scam aimed at stealing personal and financial information.
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Overview of the Carrefour Christmas Giveaway Scam
This scam starts with recipients receiving a WhatsApp message, seemingly from a familiar contact, proclaiming that they have won free prizes in a Carrefour Christmas giveaway. The message excites recipients by listing large prizes like iPhones, Samsung TVs, and gift cards worth thousands of dollars.
To claim the prize, the message includes a link to a website using Carrefour branding colors and logos. However, the URL clearly does not belong to Carrefour’s official domain.
If recipients click on the link, it takes them to a fake website dressed up to look like an official Carrefour promotions page. The site will congratulate them on being selected as a winner and provide instructions to claim their prize. Recipients are asked to fill out surveys and quizzes, share the message with their WhatsApp contacts to unlock more prizes, and eventually submit personal information like name, address, and credit card details.
This is where the scam turns nefarious. The credit card information is used to enroll victims in expensive monthly subscriptions to dubious services without consent. The personal details are sold to shady entities or used for identity theft. Meanwhile, the prizes never arrive, since no such Carrefour Christmas giveaway exists.
How the Carrefour Christmas Giveaway Scam Works
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how cybercriminals execute this scam:
Step 1: Recipients Get a Message on WhatsApp About Winning a Carrefour Prize
The scam starts with the target receiving an unsolicited WhatsApp message claiming they’ve won a prize through the Carrefour Christmas giveaway. The message seems to come from a familiar contact and mentions they are sending it as part of the giveaway’s “Share to Unlock” phase. This plants the idea that the offer is legitimate.
The message also includes a link to a website to claim the prize. But the URL clearly does not belong to Carrefour, containing an unfamiliar “.xyz” domain instead.
Step 2: The Link Leads to a Fake Carrefour Promotions Website
Upon clicking the link, victims land on a website dressed up to mimic Carrefour’s official promotions page. The scam website copies Carrefour’s color scheme, logos, graphics, and even product images. But the URL still has the suspicious “.xyz” domain, revealing its fraudulent nature.
The site congratulates victims on being selected as the winner for the day and displays images of prizes like iPhones, Samsung TVs, and gift cards. To build excitement and trust, it provides a lot of specifics around the prizes and rules of the supposed giveaway.
Step 3: Scammers Use Psychological Tricks to Manipulate Victims
The fake promotions website employs various psychological triggers to manipulate victims and steer them towards the scam’s end goal. Some of the most common tricks include:
Artificial Scarcity – The site emphasizes recipients were specially “handpicked” out of thousands of entrants, making the prize seem more valuable and exclusive.
Reciprocity Principle – By mentioning the message came from a familiar contact as part of the “Share to Unlock” phase, scammers trigger the reciprocity norm where victims feel obligated to follow through out of gratitude.
Appeal to Greed – The extravagant prizes dangling in front victims’ eyes activate their innate greed and desire to get something for nothing. This impairs their judgement.
Phantom Rewards – The site encourages victims to share the message with large groups of contacts, promising to unlock more prizes. But these rewards don’t actually exist.
Familiar Branding – The Carrefour logos and graphics breed a false sense of trust, which scammers leverage to steal personal data.
Step 4: Scam Directs Victims to Complete Surveys and Quizzes
After getting victims enthralled with the prospect of prizes, the site provides instructions to claim them. First, it directs victims to complete mandatory surveys, quizzes, or questionnaires, while emphasizing the exclusivity of the offer once again.
The surveys start off innocuous, asking about shopping habits and brand preferences. Slowly, they transition to prying personal questions around email addresses, home addresses, phone numbers, birthdays, and more.
Step 5: Scam Makes Victims Share the Message with Friends to Unlock More Prizes
Next, the site pressures victims to share the prize message with groups of friends or contacts on WhatsApp and Facebook. For every X number of people they share it with, it promises to unlock more prizes.
This fuels the scam’s virality, allowing it to spread exponentially and reach the inboxes of thousands of unsuspecting victims. It also strengthens the deception that the giveaway is real, since the message originated from a known contact.
Step 6: Scam Website Asks for Credit Card Information for Shipping Fees
The final step sees the scam site present victims with one last hurdle before they can claim their prize. It states a small $1-$5 shipping and handling fee must be paid to process and deliver the prize.
To complete the payment, it asks victims to enter their credit card details including card number, expiry date, and CVV code. At this point, many enthralled victims willingly hand over the information without thinking twice.
Step 7: Scammers Steal Credit Card Details and Money
With credit card information in hand, scammers quickly put their plan into action. In some cases, they make fraudulent purchases with the stolen card details.
More often, they enroll victims in expensive monthly subscriptions to dubious services, like shady “brain pills” or “get rich quick” programs, without consent. These can drain hundreds from victims’ accounts before being discovered.
In other cases, scammers sell the credit card details on dark web marketplaces to be used by other fraudsters. Either way, victims never receive any prizes, only losses.
What to Do If You Have Fallen Victim to the Carrefour Christmas Giveaway Scam
If you suspect you may have fallen prey to this Carrefour Christmas giveaway scam, here are some important steps to take right away:
Contact your bank immediately: Alert your bank about the compromised card so they can block transactions and issue a new card. Also outline the unauthorized charges so they can reverse any fraudulent payments.
Report to Carrefour: Notify Carrefour’s customer care about the scam so they’re aware of cybercriminals misusing their brand and can explore legal options. Provide details like the scam website and message.
File a police complaint: Approach cybercrime authorities in your area to file a formal complaint about the fraud. Share all details and evidence to aid investigation and prevent others from being scammed.
Reset online account passwords: Change passwords for all online accounts that use the same credentials as provided to the scam website. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
Beware of any further contact: The scammers may reach out pretending to be Carrefour, bank, or government representatives requesting personal details to fix the issue. Ignore all such calls and messages.
Spread awareness: Post on social media and alert your connections about the scam to prevent it from spreading further. Share screenshots and details so others can identify red flags.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Carrefour Christmas Giveaway Scam
1. I received a WhatsApp message saying I won an iPhone from Carrefour. Is it real?
No, this is most likely a scam. Carrefour is not running any such Christmas giveaway or lottery where they are giving away free iPhones or other expensive prizes to random lucky winners. If you receive such a message on WhatsApp, do not click on the link and delete the message immediately.
2. How can I tell if the Carrefour Christmas giveaway message is fake?
Here are some clear red flags:
You didn’t enter any giveaway, so there is no reason for you to have “won” a prize.
The link in the message goes to a suspicious domain like “.xyz” instead of Carrefour’s official website.
There are grammatical errors and awkward phrasing in the message.
They ask you to share the message widely before claiming the prize. A genuine giveaway would not need this.
You are asked to pay a small fee first in order to claim your prize. No legitimate lottery would ask this.
3. What happens if I click on the link in the Carrefour Christmas giveaway message?
The link will take you to a fake website dressed up to look like Carrefour’s official site. You will be asked to fill out personal details and surveys, share the message with others, and eventually provide your credit card information under the pretext of collecting your prize. Your details will be used to steal your money or your identity.
4. Why would Carrefour need my credit card details for a Christmas giveaway?
Carrefour would never ask for your financial information like credit card details to deliver a sweepstakes prize. This is the biggest red flag indicating the message is a scam aimed at stealing your card data for fraudulent activities. Legitimate prizes never require you to pay anything upfront.
5. I already entered my details on the site. What should I do now?
Act quickly to minimize damages. Contact your bank immediately to block your card and reverse any unauthorized charges. Reset all account passwords entered on the fake site. File a police complaint about the fraud. And notify contacts to avoid spreading the scam further.
6. How can I protect myself from such Christmas holiday scams?
Be wary of unsolicited prize offers, especially via WhatsApp, SMS or social media. Verify directly with the company if a promotion seems suspicious. Check for grammar mistakes in messages. Avoid clicking links from unknown numbers. Never share personal or financial details with unknown parties. And remember – if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!
7. How can I spot a fake Carrefour website or promotion?
Genuine Carrefour websites will use the domain “carrefouruae.com”. Fake sites tend to use “.xyz” or random domains. Promotions will be announced on Carrefour’s official social media accounts only. If you find a Carrefour offer on WhatsApp or elsewhere, confirm it first at a store before engaging. And offers requiring upfront fees or financial details are always scams.
8. Where can I report the Carrefour Christmas phishing scam?
Inform Carrefour directly via customercare@carrefouruae.com. File a complaint with the Abu Dhabi Police or Dubai Police cybercrime units. Report the WhatsApp message number to WhatsApp as abuse. Ensure you provide all details to aid investigation and protect other potential victims.
9. How can Carrefour prevent its brand being used for such scams?
Carrefour can issue warnings on its website and social media against such fake offers using its name. It can threaten legal action which acts as a deterrent. The company can also invest in technology to identify and shut down fake promotion websites misusing its brand. Prompt reporting of scams also helps Carrefour address issues faster.
10. How widespread is this Carrefour Christmas scam on WhatsApp?
Given the number of user complaints online, the scam appears to have reached thousands of WhatsApp users in the UAE and wider region. Its virality allows scammers to scale quickly. Stay vigilant, warn friends and family, and avoid becoming a victim this holiday season.
The Bottom Line
The Carrefour Christmas giveaway scam is a textbook example of social engineering via phishing attacks. The scammers use the reputation of a trusted brand, appeal to human emotions like greed and reciprocity, and deploy familiar communication mediums like WhatsApp to execute their con.
The most prudent way to avoid falling victim is to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited prize offers, no matter how exciting or realistic they appear. Look out for grammatical mistakes, suspicious links, and urgent demands for financial information as clear red flags. Confirm directly with the company if unsure about a promotion’s authenticity before sharing personal details or making payments. With vigilance and awareness, we can prevent cybercriminals from ruining the festive spirit.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
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Meet Thomas Orsolya
Thomas is an expert at uncovering scams and providing in-depth reporting on cyber threats and online fraud. As an editor, he is dedicated to keeping readers informed on the latest developments in cybersecurity and tech.
