WhatsApp free flights scam
Users of the online messaging service Whatsapp are being targeted by scammers pretending to offer them the chance to win two free flights on Emirates.
Prevention of Fraud in Travel (PROFIT) said users are invited to fill out a ‘fast survey’ in order to win the tickets on the Dubai-based carrier.
The link in the Whatsapp message appears to direct people to the Emirates’ website, but in fact it diverts them to a hoax site where they are asked a few questions in a phoney survey, which they are then told they must share with 10 other Whatsapp users to claim their prize.
Afterwards, the user is directed to another webpage where they must confirm their details, but in doing so they are unwittingly signed up to a premium message number, the cost of which will be charged to their phone bill.
At the end, they are directed to another page where it says: "Thank you for attending the survey. You did not win, try again better luck."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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