Fraudulent reward portals and fake gift card giveaways are surging globally, tricking users into deceptive verification loops and paid subscriptions, according to a recent report by Bleeping Computer.
These scams lure victims with promises of free gift cards from well-known brands like Amazon, Walmart and PlayStation. Threat actors use social media ads and fabricated celebrity endorsements to drive traffic to malicious websites. Once on these portals, users are subjected to fake progress bars and countdown timers designed to build trust. Instead of receiving a reward, victims are forced into a human verification loop that requires them to complete surveys, install unwanted software or sign up for recurring mobile subscriptions. CTM360 identified more than 1,000 incidents linked to this campaign, which functions as a large-scale affiliate monetization scheme. The infrastructure is highly modular, allowing attackers to swap brands and lures quickly. For victims, the primary risks include financial loss through unauthorized mobile charges and the exposure of personal information. For organizations, these campaigns represent a significant abuse of brand reputation, as attackers weaponize consumer trust to drive illicit revenue. The campaign highlights a growing trend of high-volume, automated fraud that bypasses traditional credential theft in favor of direct affiliate conversion models.
Source: Bleeping Computer
