Scores of bogus Facebook (FB) pages are using the names and logos of popular vehicle manufacturers and dealers, claiming that they are giving away free automobiles, motorcycles as well as a cash prize. All these are scams and the brands mentioned have disowned the posts and pages.
The scam posts used the names Motortrade and Toyota in several FB pages that have uploaded photos of cars and motorcycles for the past weeks. These posts promised netizens a chance to win these prizes if they comment and share the scam posts.
The posts bore similar scripts, only differing in the names of brands, dates and number of vehicles. A post read:
“LIBRENG MOTORSIKLO
Ipinagmamalaki naming ianunsyo na mas maaga sa buwang ito, mamimigay ang @Motortrade ng 150 libreng motor at cash. para sa mga nagcocomment ng “WIN” SA page na ito bago mag November 7 Good luck!!
(Free motorcycle. We are proud to announce that early this month, Motortade will be giving awat 150 free motorcycles and cash to those who will comment ‘win’ on this page before Nov. 7. Good luck!”
Some posts claimed the giveaway is part of a company’s anniversary celebration.
A look at the official website and social media channels of these brands showed they currently do not have an ongoing giveaway. The companies involved have also issued advisories against these spurious pages.
Motortade warned in a Sept. 30 FB post against impostor pages that are not affiliated with them, including one that posted the fake giveaway this month. The local motorcycle dealer also reminded netizens in an Oct. 16 post that they only have two official FB pages.
Toyota Motor Philippines, in a website advisory, disowned “social media accounts representing themselves to be official promo pages offering prizes in exchange for likes, comments and/or shares.” The company also advised netizens to check for promos from their official channels.
VERA Files Fact Check previously debunked similar scams that also used the names of Motortrade and Toyota.
Promo giveaways on social media that ask to follow a page, or like, share and comment on a post are common tactics used by scammers to increase followers and engagement. (For dubious posts, send links to VERA Files Misinformation Tip Line on Messenger)
At least a dozen of these scam posts were made on FB, which collectively garnered 6,195 reactions, 33,755 comments and 31,890 shares.
