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ROUNDCHECK came across a link posted on a Whatsapp group. We observed that this link might be malicious and went further to check. Upon opening the link, we observed that Emirate Airlines is said to be currently offering free tickets to different countries as part of an anniversary giveaway. This, after a thorough check, proved to be FALSE.
Claim
The website claims that Emirates is having an anniversary giveaway. It also claims that participants can find a golden ticket and win up to two round-trip tickets to Europe, Asia, or a domestic flight after answering a short quiz.
About Emirates Airline
The Emirates airline is a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, which is a subsidiary of the Dubai government’s investment company, Investment Corporation of Dubai.
More Read
Emirates is the world’s fourth largest airline by scheduled revenue passenger-kilometers flown, and the second-largest in terms of freight tonne kilometers flown.
It is one of two flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates. Based in Garhoud, Dubai, it operates in more than 150 cities in 80 countries across 6 continents through its fleet of nearly 300 aircraft.
Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum is the chief executive Officer of the Emirate since 1985 till date.
ROUNDCHECK Findings
A click on the link unveils a clear picture of the Emirates Plane and a short note that gives detailed insight about the quiz.
The full text of the short note reads;-
“Hello,
This is Emirate’s anniversary giveaway – hurry up, the opportunity is almost over!
Answer this short quiz, find the golden ticket and win up to 2 round-trip tickets to Europe, Asia, or Domestic flights.
158 tickets left.”
Applicants are asked to answer the short quiz that consists of four questions.
The quiz reads: –
Question 1 of 4: Do you know Emirates Airlines?
- YES
- NO
Question 2 of 4: How old are you?
- 18-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50+
Question 3 of 4: How would you rate Emirates Airlines?
- AMAZING
- VERY GOOD
- GOOD
- NOT GOOD
Question 4 of 4: Would you recommend us to your friends?
- YES
- NO
A successful response to the quiz above leads to the next page where applicants are asked to select a box with a golden ticket.
“Congratulations, your answers have been successfully saved!
This is your chance!
You must select the box with the golden ticket inside it.
You’ve got 3 attempts. Good luck!”
The next page, which is the final page, reveals a congratulatory message and the step to claim the ticket with two rules.
“Congratulations!
You did it! You won the (2) round-trip tickets to Europe, Asia, or Domestic flights.
*** THE RULES ***
1. You must tell 5 groups or 20 friends about this promotion.
2. Enter your delivery address and complete the registration”
Using Google lens, ROUNDCHECK noticed the flight ticket’s source was from the Emirates’ website. The ticket is an economy class Emirate ticket
ROUNDCHECK, with the aid of Scamadviser, a platform that helps verify the authenticity of a website, was able to get some negative highlights about the claimed website. The website has only been registered recently but it has a lot of visitors.
Scam adviser also highlighted that IQ Threat Intelligence has reported this website for possible network abuse.
Defining Network Abuse
Network abuse is the use of a computer network for purposes prohibited by the network’s acceptable use policy. It usually includes internet crime and other malicious uses, such as use that may interfere with other user’s ability to access network services. Often, the owner of a website does not know its server is being used to abuse the Internet. However, it does mean that a cybercriminal has access to the server and possibly the website.
Also, ROUNDCHECK was able to identify more information about the claim website with the aid of Whois, a platform that helps identify the essential details of a website link.
According to the result found on Whois, ROUNDCHECK noticed a private person registered the website on the 4th of June,2022 and it will expire on the 4th of June, 2023.
ROUNDCHECK made a thorough search through Emirates’ verified social media handle, Twitter, and official website but couldn’t find anything relating to the claim of the anniversary giveaway.
Early last month, The Cable in a conversation with Carla, a customer care representative of Emirates Airline, debunked this particular claim stating “Emirates Airline says travelers should disregard a fake message on social media promising free flight tickets.”
Phishing Site Changes The Content
A few days before this report was filed, we noticed the website changed its contents from Emirates Anniversary Giveaway to Coca-cola 130th Anniversary Giveaway.
The first page read;
“Hello,
Welcome to the Coca-Cola 130th Anniversary Giveaway!
Take the quiz, find the hidden prize and win an exclusive Coca-Cola mini fridge.
149 gifts left.”
The Coca-Cola Company was founded on the 29th of January 1892. The company 130th Anniversary giveaway should be in January, not September the claim is not valid.
ROUNDCHECK noticed this same post here, having Tinyurl5.ru as the Domain name but different numbers as the sub-domains.
Verdict
The website that claims Coca-Cola and Emirate Airline is doing its anniversary giveaway and participants can win free golden tickets is INCORRECT.
As research has shown, the website changes its content and its claims are not valid. The claim about Emirate Airlines’ anniversary giveaway has also been previously checked and debunked.
If you suspect or sight any false claim, tag us @roundcheck or send it to admin@roundcheck.com.ng.
