WhatsApp message about free Rs 900 McDonalds coupons is a fake

‘McDonalds is celebrating their 21^st anniversary in India. Answer and win free McDonald’s coupons worth Rs 900 by clicking on the link.’

If you have just received this message on WhatsApp, then you should know that it is not true. The message is a scam and a hoax. The message includes a link that takes you to a fake survey website that contains a few questions which need to be answered. After answering them, you are asked to share the same survey with 10 of your friends on WhatsApp. Once shared with 10 friends, you shall be given a link to download an app and then register for receiving the Rs 900 coupon.

Please note that the scam operates in an old fashion way and is targeted towards ignorant internet users and younger children who have access to smartphones. The scam helps the scamster get details about you and in addition makes you go through several web pages filled with advertisements. These ads makes him earn money, while you lose a certain amount of your internet data by surfing through these websites.

Also read: Did you receive a message to upgrade to ‘WhatsApp Gold’? Stop, it’s a hoax!

You should be careful about such scams and hoax messages since the messages and the links could contain malware that could compromise your smartphone’s data. Your sensitive and personal information and privacy could be at stake. Please do not share these messages ahead or click on any of the links in these messages.