The “Samsung Mobile Promo Draw” scam targets victims through email or text messages, claiming they’ve won a $750,000 cash prize in a Samsung Electronics Company promotion. Scammers exploit the Samsung brand to appear legitimate. Upon responding, victims are asked to provide personal information and send thousands of dollars for supposed taxes and fees. However, once the scammers receive the money, they disappear, leaving victims financially burdened and disappointed.
The “Samsung Mobile Promo Draw” Scam Explained
The “Samsung Mobile Promo Draw” scam is a fraudulent lottery scheme that targets victims via email or text messages, informing them that they have won a cash prize of $750,000 as part of a promotion organized by Samsung Electronics Company. The scammers use the reputable Samsung brand to create a sense of legitimacy and trust.
Victims receive a message similar to the following:
SAMSUNG ELECTRONIC COMPANY
170 Main Street Johannesburg,
Headquarters Medscheme Office Park.
Phase 1, 10 Muswell Road South
Bryanston, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Winning Batch No: 2019/10125E.
Dear Esteemed Claims Applicant,
We are pleased to inform you that your Mobile Number has won Seven Hundred & Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750, 000.00) in the Samsung Mobile Promo Draw organized by Samsung Electronics Company United States of America/ South Africa, held on March 18th, 2019 in South Africa.
Samsung Company randomly selected different Countries Mobile Numbers through a computer ballot system to receive an award of Seven Hundred & Fifty Thousand US Dollars ($750, 000.00) each as a part of our for-profit philanthropic wing promotion.
The online International award draws was conducted from an exclusive list of over 25, 000, 000 Mobile Numbers of individual and corporate bodies picked by an advanced automated random computer search from the web. No tickets were sold. Mobile Number was emerged as one of five winners in the category ‘A’ with the following:
You are required to fill the form below and send it to the Promotion manager of The Samsung Company for verification and then you will be directed on how to claim your wining amount of ($750, 000.00 US Dollars) Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars.
Fill VERIFICATION FORM below:
1. Full Name:
2. Contact Address:
3. Mobile Number:
4. Marital Status:
5. Occupation:
6. Sex:
7. Age:
8. Country:
9. Alternative Email Address:
You are to send a scanned copy of your Passport, Drivers License or Work ID via email attachment for proper confirmations.
EVENT MANAGER,
Dr. Raymond Wise.
Once potential victims respond to the fake lottery message, the scammers will request personal information, including passport scans, driver’s license copies, or work ID. They will then ask the victims to send thousands of dollars, claiming the money is for taxes and other fees required to release their so-called lottery winnings. However, once the scammers receive the money, they vanish, leaving the victims with financial loss and disappointment.
How to Protect Yourself
- Be skeptical of unsolicited emails or text messages claiming you have won a substantial cash prize. Legitimate lotteries and promotions will not contact winners out of the blue.
- Do not provide personal information, such as passport scans, driver’s license copies, or work ID, to unknown sources. This information can be used for identity theft or other fraudulent activities.
- Do not send money to claim a prize. Legitimate lotteries will not require winners to pay fees or taxes upfront to receive their winnings.
- Check the sender’s email address or phone number for inconsistencies or signs of fraud. Scammers often use email addresses or phone numbers that are slightly different from the legitimate company’s contact information.
- Research the lottery or promotion to verify its legitimacy. A simple online search can often reveal if a lottery or promotion is a known scam.
- Report any suspected scam emails or text messages to the appropriate authorities, such as your local police department, consumer protection agency, or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Check for Malware on Your Device
The “Samsung Mobile Promo Draw” emails may contain malware or redirect to malicious sites. To check your computer or phone for Trojans, browser hijackers, or other malware and remove them for free, you run a scan with Malwarebytes Free.
Malwarebytes runs on Windows, Mac, and Android. Click the tab below for the device you want to scan, then follow the steps to remove any malware it finds.
Scan Your Computer with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your PC in just a few minutes.
Download Malwarebytes
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost-
Install Malwarebytes
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
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Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
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Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
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When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
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On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
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Enable “Scan for Rootkits”
Before scanning, turn on rootkit detection so Malwarebytes can find even the most hidden threats. Click the Settings gear icon on the left side of the screen.
In the settings menu, find “Scan for rootkits” and click the toggle so it turns blue.
Done? Click “Dashboard” in the left pane to return to the main screen.
Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.
Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
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Restart Your Computer
Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.
That’s it — your Windows computer is now free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
- Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan Your Mac with Malwarebytes for Mac
Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your Mac in just a few minutes.
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Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes PremiumMalwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost -
Open the Malwarebytes setup file
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
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Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.
When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.
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Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”
Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
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Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
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Restart Your Mac
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, your Mac is clean.
That’s it — your Mac is now free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
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
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.
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Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for AndroidMalwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost -
Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
That’s it — your Android device is now free of malicious apps, adware, and browser redirects.
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.
- Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
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