A new giveaway scam promoting free Le Creuset cookware sets is making the rounds on social media. Using fake deepfake videos and ads, this scam claims country music singer Lainey Wilson is giving away thousands of dollars worth of Le Creuset products. However, it is completely false and aims to steal your money.
This article will provide an in-depth look at how the Lainey Wilson Le Creuset Giveaway scam works, what to watch out for, and most importantly, how to protect yourself. With fake promotions and celebrity endorsements running rampant online, it’s vital to be an informed consumer. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this scam and how to avoid falling victim.
Overview of the Lainey Wilson Le Creuset Giveaway Scam
The Lainey Wilson Le Creuset Giveaway scam is being heavily promoted on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms through sponsored posts and video ads. These ads feature a deepfake video of country singer Lainey Wilson announcing a giveaway of free Le Creuset cookware due to a supposed packaging error.
In the fake video, an AI-generated Lainey Wilson says “Hello all, this is Lainey Wilson. Due to a packing error, we can’t sell 3000 Le Creuset cookware sets so I’m giving them away to my loyal fans for free.”
The goal is to convince social media users that because of a warehouse mistake, Lainey Wilson is generously giving away expensive Le Creuset products absolutely free. However, the entire thing is completely fabricated.
When users click on these social media ads, they are taken to fake news articles that appear to be from legitimate outlets like Fox News, CNN, NBC, and even the Food Network. But in reality, these “news” sites are elaborate scams designed to get your personal information and money.
The fake articles claim that for a small $9.95 or $9.96 shipping and processing fee, you can receive a free Le Creuset cookware set or Lainey Wilson’s new cookbook. However, what they don’t make clear is that by submitting your payment information, you are actually signing up for a sneaky negative option subscription that will charge you $89.95 after only 5 days.
This means that victims of the scam who thought they were only paying around $10 for shipping end up with almost $90 automatically charged to their credit card. The monthly $89.95 charges will then continue every month unless the subscription is cancelled, which many victims don’t realize.
This type of celebrity endorsement giveaway scam is exploding in popularity due to advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and deepfake videos. The extremely realistic fake videos and articles convince social media users the offers are legitimate. But in reality, the celebrity has nothing to do with the promotion at all.
Breakdown of the Scam Process
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how the Lainey Wilson Le Creuset Giveaway scam works to steal money from social media users:
- Scammers create fake social media ads with deepfake video of Lainey Wilson announcing a free Le Creuset giveaway due to a packaging mistake. The high quality AI-generated video looks very real and convincing.
- When users click on these sponsored posts/videos, they are redirected to elaborate fake news articles that appear to be from trusted networks like Fox News, CNN, etc.
- The fake articles promise users a free Le Creuset cookware set or Lainey Wilson’s cookbook for just a small shipping fee of around $9.95.
- Excited users click the “Claim My Offer” button and are sent to a website to enter their personal information and payment details to cover shipping.
- However, by submitting your information, you are actually signing up for a hidden monthly subscription that will start charging you $89.95 every month!
- Within around 5 days, the first $89.95 is withdrawn from your account. The monthly $89.95 charges will continue indefinitely each month.
- Victims never receive a free Le Creuset product or cookbook. The entire thing is a scam to steal your money through sneaky subscription charges.
As you can see, this scam relies on users believing the deepfake celebrity endorsement and urgent offer of free Le Creuset products. But every step is designed to mislead victims and overcharge their credit cards.
Detailed Breakdown of the Scam Process
It’s important to understand exactly how this scam works step-by-step so you can spot red flags if you ever encounter it. Here is a more detailed breakdown of the process:
Step 1 – Fake Social Media Ads
The first step of the scam is promoting the fake giveaway offer through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. Scammers run these as “sponsored” or “promoted” posts to make them appear more legitimate.
The ads feature an AI-generated deepfake video of Lainey Wilson making an announcement about an urgent Le Creuset giveaway. The fake Lainey explains there was a “packing error” at a warehouse, leaving them unable to sell thousands of Le Creuset sets. So instead, they’ve decided to give them away for free to her loyal fans.
This video looks very realistic and gives no indication it’s not the actual country music star. The high quality deepfake technology matches Lainey Wilson’s voice, mannerisms, and face perfectly. This tricks users into believing the giveaway is endorsed and sponsored by her.
Below the video, the ads include text further describing the giveaway promotion. They use attention-grabbing phrases like “Free Le Creuset Giveaway!”, “Limited Time Offer!”, and “Claim Yours Now!”
There may also be fake comments from users expressing excitement and claiming they just received their free cookware set. These are completely fabricated to boost legitimacy.
Step 2 – Fake News Websites
When social media users click on the promotional giveaway ads, they are redirected to fake news articles that appear to be from trusted outlets like Fox News, CNN, NBC, and even niche sites like Food Network Magazine. However, these websites are clever forgeries.
While at first glance they look like legitimate news sites, upon closer inspection there are multiple red flags. For example:
- The URL may be slightly different, ex. “fox-news.co” instead of “.com”.
- Poor grammar, formatting, and low quality writing.
- Images may be low resolution or stolen from other websites.
- Contact pages, author bios, and other standard pages may be missing.
- No links to any real social media profiles or legitimate contacts.
These sort of quick checks can determine if a website is real or an elaborate fake. But the scam sites are designed to look convincing at first glance, especially to social media users who clicked from an engaging ad.
The fake news articles are written to mirror legitimate celebrity product giveaway coverage. They include details about Lainey Wilson’s music career, Le Creuset company history, and photos of the high-end cookware sets.
Quotes are even attributed to Lainey herself expressing great excitement for music fans to receive free Le Creuset products thanks to the warehouse mishap. Of course, all quotes are completely fabricated.
The articles emphasize that due to the packing mistake, Lainey Wilson has “only 3,000” free Le Creuset sets to give away on a first come, first served basis. This is to create urgency and scarcity around the promotion.
Near the end of the article, they explain readers can claim their free Le Creuset cookware set for just a small $9.95 shipping and processing fee. Some variations talk about a free Lainey Wilson cookbook available for $9.96 shipping.
There is no mention that this payment actually signs you up for an expensive subscription.
Step 3 – Submit Personal and Payment Information
After reading the fake news article, excited users click the prominent “Claim My Offer!” or “Claim Free Cookware Set” button featured throughout. This sends them to a third website completely unaffiliated with Lainey Wilson or Le Creuset.
These domains often have vague names like “OnlineProductPromotions”, “LimitedTimeOffers”, or “FreebieWeekly”. Their website continues the ruse by using stock photos of Le Creuset pots and pans and lots of fine print mentioning the “discount”.
To complete the process, users must enter a range of personal and payment information including:
- Full Name
- Email Address
- Physical Address
- Phone Number
- Credit Card Number
- CVV Security Code
The form reiterates that by submitting this information, you are agreeing to pay a small $9.95 or $9.96 shipping and processing fee for your free Le Creuset item. An additional checkbox even states “I understand the ONE TIME shipping fee of $9.95 to receive my free product.”
In reality, that payment is signing up for an expensive monthly subscription, but this fact is buried deep in the fine print unrelated terms and conditions. Once submitted, user payment information is automatically enrolled in the subscription completely unbeknownst to them.
Step 4 – Monthly Subscription Charges Begin
Within around 3-5 days of submitting payment info, the first subscription charge will be withdrawn from the provided credit or debit card. This is generally $89.95 or a similar excessive amount completely unrelated to any supposed shipping fee.
The monthly subscription is operated by the shady third-party site, not Lainey Wilson or Le Creuset who again have no association with the giveaway. Users will continue to be charged this amount each month indefinitely until they realize what is happening and cancel the subscription.
Of course, victims never receive any free Le Creuset products or Lainey Wilson’s new cookbook. The giveaway was entirely fake. The goal was only to acquire payment information and enroll accounts in a costly monthly subscription.
Step 5 – Fake Customer Service if You Complain
When users eventually notice the unauthorized charges and contact the company to complain, they are directed to bogus “customer service” agents. These fraudsters have a script to try and justify the monthly billing by pointing to the unrelated terms and conditions signed.
Since it is an actual subscription program, they insist the monthly fee was always clearly disclosed. The customer service engages in other deceptive tactics to avoid refunding victims, including:
- Placing victims on excessive hold times then disconnecting.
- Claiming technical issues are preventing them from cancelling the subscription or issuing refunds.
- Threatening victims with legal action or penalties for violating terms and conditions.
- Pretending the monthly fee is for unclaimed free trial offers from other websites.
Ultimately, it is nearly impossible to get any money back once scammed by one of these celebrity product giveaways. The entire operation is set up to take payment information under false pretenses and force continued monthly subscription charges.
Recognizing Red Flags of the Scam
Now that you understand the step-by-step workings of the Lainey Wilson Le Creuset giveaway scam, here are some key red flags to recognize as you encounter potential scams online:
- Too good to be true offers – Free high ticket products, huge discounts, winning contests you never entered, these are always red flags of a scam. Real freebies aren’t for brand new $400 cookware.
- Fake celebrity endorsements – Legitimate celebrity collaborations will be announced on their real social channels and website, not random ads and articles. Assume giveaways with celebrities are scams.
- Poor quality websites – Fake news and promotion pages use stock images and have Grammatical errors, strange URLs, and missing contact pages. This is a giveaway (no pun intended) of a scam site.
- Aggressive sales tactics – Scams want you to act fast with limited time offers and urgent messaging. Don’t fall for this manipulation.
- Requests for sensitive information – Why would a free shipping offer need your social security number or bank account login? That’s personal info only a scammer wants.
- No mention of terms and conditions – If something really is free or risk-free, the ad will clearly state any opt-in conditions and subscription terms upfront. Scams downplay or hide them.
Stay on guard for these red flags, and remember if an offer seems too good to be true, it almost always is. The possibility of getting $400+ in Le Creuset products completely free is way too good to be true.
How to Spot the Scam on Social Media
How to Spot the Scam on Facebook
The fake Lainey Wilson giveaway is heavily promoted on Facebook through sponsored posts and video ads. Here’s what to watch for:
- Video ads autoplaying with an AI deepfake of Lainey Wilson announcing the urgent giveaway. The video will match her look and voice almost perfectly.
- Ad text emphasizing a “limited time free offer!” or “special giveaway for loyal fans!”. Scams always have a false sense of urgency and exclusivity.
- Comment sections filled with fake over-the-top excitement about receiving the expensive free cookware. These are fabricated to boost legitimacy.
- Wrong or misspelled URLs like “Facebok.com” instead of Facebook.com. Scams use lookalike domains.
- Profile pictures of Lainey Wilson, but account names unrelated to her or Le Creuset. Scammers impersonate celebrities.
- Posts promoting the giveaway that are sponsored or promoted. Real celebs don’t buy ads for their own giveaways.
If you see any of these red flags, report the posts and accounts immediately. Do not click on the links as they lead to fake websites designed to steal your personal and payment information.
How to Spot the Scam on Instagram
Here are signs the Lainey Wilson Le Creuset giveaway scam is being promoted on Instagram:
- Sponsored posts mixed in between real posts in your feed of an AI-generated Lainey announcing the giveaway.
- Highly edited photos of Lainey next to Le Creuset cookware. Scams use photoshopped images that aren’t genuine.
- Captions emphasizing limited time urgency to claim your free set.
- Comments full of bots raving suspiciously enthusiastic about the promotion.
- Accounts pretending to be affiliated with Lainey but using stock images and random usernames.
- Links in bios directing to sketchy lookalike domains instead of legitimate websites.
Instagram giveaway scams rely on fake photos, fake accounts, urgent captions, and bot comments. Report any suspicious promoted posts advertising free Le Creuset sets.
How to Spot the Scam on TikTok
The Lainey Wilson Le Creuset scam surfaces on TikTok too. Watch for:
- Video ads between regular TikToks using a deepfake of Lainey announcing the warehouse leftover giveaway.
- High view counts, likes, and comments from fake bot accounts to increase legitimacy.
- Urging viewers to click the link before sets run out. Scams always claim limited supply.
- Linking to fake news sites or accounts completely unaffiliated with Lainey Wilson or Le Creuset.
- Comments full of generic excitement about scoring free cookware that seem automated.
Never click on links promoted by strangers on TikTok. Report scam giveaway ads impersonating Lainey Wilson or other celebrities to protect yourself and others.
What to Do if You Fell Victim to the Scam
If you submitted personal information or payment details to the Lainey Wilson Le Creuset giveaway offer, here are important next steps to take in attempting to correct the situation:
Step 1: Contact Your Bank
Immediately call your bank or credit card company and explain you were scammed into an unwanted subscription. Request they block any future charges from the associated company and issue a chargeback refund for any unauthorized fees already paid.
Act fast, as many card providers have fraud resolution time limits. Provide information on when you were scammed with any associated merchant names, websites, or transaction records. The sooner you report, the better chance of reversing the charges.
Step 2: Cancel Any Accounts Created
If you provided an email address or created a user account on scam websites related to the giveaway offer, login and permanently delete or deactivate the accounts. This will remove any stored payment data from their records.
Also unsubscribe from any email lists you may have inadvertently signed up for in the process. Scammers can use these to further target victims.
Step 3: Change Any Exposed Passwords
If you reused the same password on scam giveaway sites that you use on other legitimate sites, immediately change it everywhere. Fraudsters can exploit password reuse to access your other sensitive accounts like email, social media, and even banking. Enable two-factor authentication anywhere possible for additional security.
Step 4: Watch for Other Suspicious Charges
Carefully monitor all connected financial accounts and credit reports over the next few months for any other unusual or unrecognized activity. Scammers frequently trade and sell personal information on the dark web which can lead to additional fraud. Remain vigilant and report any suspicious transactions right away.
Step 5: Report the Scam Activity
To help authorities identify and stop these scams, report details of your experience to the following agencies:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- FBI Anti-Fraud Division
- Facebook, Instagram and other social networks the ads appeared on
- Le Creuset Brand Security Team
- Local Police Fraud Department
While you may not recover lost funds, your information can help protect others from being targeted in the future. The more reports filed, the faster these celebrity endorsement giveaway scams can be shut down.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Lainey Wilson Le Creuset Giveaway Scam
What exactly is the Lainey Wilson Le Creuset Giveaway Scam?
This is a fraudulent promotion being advertised on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok using fake sponsored posts and deepfake videos. The ads claim country singer Lainey Wilson is giving away free Le Creuset cookware sets worth hundreds of dollars to fans. But users who click on the ads are led to fake news websites that scam victims into unwanted subscription charges.
How does the fake giveaway work?
Scammers use AI-generated deepfake videos of Lainey Wilson announcing the urgent giveaway due to a packaging mistake. The videos look very realistic and convince viewers it’s endorsed by her. Clicking the ads leads to elaborate fake news sites promising free Le Creuset cookware for a small $9.95 shipping fee. But users who provide their info are actually signing up for a monthly subscription they’re unaware of until excessive charges begin hitting their cards.
What tactics does the scam use to appear real?
The scam utilizes:
- Deepfake videos that closely mimic Lainey Wilson’s voice, mannerisms, and appearance. This tricks users into thinking she endorsed it.
- Fake news articles made to look like they came from real outlets like Fox News, Food Network, etc.
- Fake urgency and scarcity messaging about limited sets available.
- Completely false claims that Lainey teamed up with Le Creuset for the warehouse leftover giveaway.
What are the costs and charges victims incur?
Victims who provide their personal and payment information are charged an initial $9.95 or $9.96 fee they believe is for shipping. But within 3-5 days, the first fraudulent subscription withdrawal happens charging $89.95. These $89.95 charges then continue monthly indefinitely until victims realize and cancel.
What should I do if I fell for the scam?
If you entered your information, immediately contact your bank to report fraud, cancel any created accounts online, monitor statements for further suspicious charges, change any exposed passwords, and report details of the scam to the FTC, social networks, and other fraud authorities. Act fast to limit the damage.
How can I spot similar celebrity endorsement giveaway scams?
Look for too good to be true offers, fake celebrity social media ads, poor quality scam websites, aggressive limited-time messaging, requests for sensitive info, and terms & conditions downplaying recurring fees. If it seems suspicious, it’s likely a scam. Legit giveaways are never for brand new expensive products.
How can I protect myself from these scams in the future?
Stay skeptical of free trial offers and celebrity endorsements on social media, read all terms closely before providing payment information, watch for fraudulent charges, and report any suspicious activities. Being an informed consumer is your best defense. And remember – if it seems too good to be true, it always is.
Who should I contact if I see ads for the fake Lainey Wilson giveaway?
If you come across social media posts promoting this scam, report them immediately to the platform’s security team. You can also contact Le Creuset’s brand security department to make them aware fraudulent giveaways are using their products to lure victims. The more reports filed, the faster this scam can be shut down.
The Bottom Line on Avoiding the Scam
The Lainey Wilson Le Creuset giveaway scam capitalizes on urgent limited-time offers, fake celebrity endorsements, and deceitful fine print to force victims into costly monthly subscriptions. But armed with the right information, you can identify the multiple red flags and protect yourself online.
Here are key takeaways to remember moving forward:
- Celebrities are not spontaneously giving away $400 cookware sets – it’s always a scam.
- Fake websites, reviews, and urgency tactics manipulate users – take your time.
- Small upfront fees turn into expensive recurring charges – read all terms closely.
- Legitimate brands announce partnerships on official channels – not random ads and articles.
- Report scam attempts and monitor statements carefully for fraud – be proactive.
Stay skeptical of free trial offers requiring payment info, celebrity endorsements on social media ads, and high-pressure sales tactics. If something seems suspicious, trust your instincts and investigate further before providing any personal or financial information.
Being a smart digital consumer is the best defense. Share this guide to help others avoid celebrity product giveaway scams!
