{"id":18120,"date":"2021-03-19T15:44:15","date_gmt":"2021-03-19T11:44:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/me-en.kaspersky.com\/blog\/scam-with-playstation-5-giveaway\/18120\/"},"modified":"2021-03-19T15:45:20","modified_gmt":"2021-03-19T11:45:20","slug":"scam-with-playstation-5-giveaway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/me-en.kaspersky.com\/blog\/scam-with-playstation-5-giveaway\/18120\/","title":{"rendered":"PlayStation 5 contest scam"},"content":{"rendered":"

The PlayStation 5 console went on sale last November, but many hopeful shoppers are still empty-handed. Sony, suffering a chip shortage<\/a> as a result of COVID-associated supply restrictions, cannot keep pace with demand. Meanwhile, scammers are moving in to take advantage of the hype by offering the chance to win a PS5.<\/p>\n

Win a PS5 from a pharmaceutical company<\/h2>\n

As with most phishing, a careful look reveals trouble. For example, although the scam e-mails in this campaign contain no glaring errors, the sender\u2019s name \u2014 India Pharma in this case, an actual organization \u2014 is not affiliated with any gaming giveaways.<\/p>\n

\"Phishing<\/a>

Phishing e-mail offering the chance to win a PlayStation 5. It is not clear who is behind this display of wondrous generosity<\/p><\/div>\n

What\u2019s also suspicious is that the terms and conditions (the very small print at the bottom of the message that most people don\u2019t read) mention an entirely different company: toleadoo GmbH. It too exists. It\u2019s based in Germany and is the subject of numerous user complaints<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The small print also mentions certain \u201ccompetition T&Cs,\u201d but there is no link to them. Again, we\u2019re looking for suspicious elements, and inconsistencies in legal language are very suspicious.<\/p>\n

In any case, to try your luck, the organizers ask you to register your e-mail address.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The scammers just need your e-mail address to get started<\/p><\/div>\n

The next step opens a website bearing the Amazon logo, although with a URL that looks nothing like amazon.com.<\/p>\n

The page ramps up the phishing pressure, saying you\u2019re one of ten lucky visitors who can win the coveted console this week, but you have to act in the next minute and 18 seconds \u2014 just enough time to complete the short survey and enter the drawing. This, of course, is another example of a pretty effective phishing tactic: Ramp up the pressure with an artificial time constraint and people will panic and rush instead of slowing down to apply critical thinking.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The clock is ticking!<\/p><\/div>\n

Wheel of Fortune<\/h2>\n

If you complete the survey and check the rest of the boxes, a dozen identical gift boxes appear on the screen, one of which is the winner. Spoiler alert: You win the prize! Can\u2019t believe your good luck? Well, below are fake reviews from past \u201cwinners\u201d to stoke your excitement and keep your vigilance nice and low.<\/p>\n

\"Positive<\/a>

Positive reviews promote the scam<\/p><\/div>\n

Now comes the catch. A payment of \u00a31 (one pound sterling \u2014 around $1.40 at the time of writing) is required to claim the prize. The organizers give no reason for the payment \u2014 but in comparison with the price of the console, it\u2019s peanuts. In addition, they promise to cover all postage costs and deliver the shiny PS5 in just one week.<\/p>\n

\"You<\/a>

You won! Now pay<\/p><\/div>\n

Next comes a request for address, ZIP code, phone number, and (again) e-mail, most of which makes perfect sense in the context of arranging prize delivery. However, at this point, the required payment jumps from \u00a31 to \u00a31.78; again, with no explanation.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The payment magically increases from \u00a31 to \u00a31.78<\/p><\/div>\n

The last step is to provide your banking details. The princely sum of \u00a31.78 won\u2019t make the cybercriminals rich, but your card details \u2014 in particular the CVV2\/CVC2 code \u2014 might.<\/p>\n

\"One<\/a>

One last step to giving the scammers your money<\/p><\/div>\n

Keep a cool head<\/h2>\n

To avoid such pitfalls, don\u2019t believe the hype. If you receive a tempting offer, keep your head, and always follow these simple guidelines to help guard against phishing:<\/p>\n