In recent weeks, a new scam has surfaced that targets Roblox players, promising them the chance to win up to 22,500 Robux instantly as part of the platform’s anniversary giveaway. The scam operates through fake URL shortener sites, which prompt users to complete a questionnaire and share the promotion with friends and groups on WhatsApp in order to receive their prize. However, this is just a ploy to obtain personal information and defraud unsuspecting users. In this article, we will delve deeper into the workings of this scam and provide tips on how to identify and avoid falling victim to it.
QUICK LINKS
- How the Robux Giveaway Scam works?
- What to do if you receive a message with a link to the Robux Giveaway promotion?
- How to Spot and Avoid Such Scams?
How the Robux Giveaway Scam works?
The Robux Giveaway Scam is an online fraud that targets Roblox users by promising them large amounts of Robux, the virtual currency used in the game. Scammers use a variety of tactics to deceive users into sharing their personal information or completing surveys in exchange for non-existent prizes.
One common tactic is the use of fake URL shortener sites such as urlshrt1.ru and wa5.ru, which are used to redirect users to fake promotion pages. These pages are often designed to look like legitimate Roblox promotion pages, begin with a message such as “You’re now participating in Roblox’s Anniversary giveaway” and ask users to complete a survey or questionnaire. Users are then prompted to share the promotion with their friends and groups on social media platforms like WhatsApp or Facebook.
Once the user has completed the survey or shared the promotion, they are asked to enter their delivery address and complete the registration process to claim their prize. However, this is just a ploy to obtain the user’s personal information, which can then be used for identity theft or other fraudulent activities.
The scam may be adapted for different countries and regions, using fake pages and messages in different languages and promoting the scam through different social media platforms. However, the goal of the scam remains the same – to deceive users into sharing their personal information or completing surveys in exchange for non-existent prizes.
It is important for Roblox players to be cautious when participating in online promotions and always verify the authenticity of any offers before sharing their personal information. Legitimate Roblox promotions and giveaways will never require users to share the promotion with others or provide personal information to claim their prize.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how the Robux Giveaway Scam works:
- The person receives a message via social media or messaging app, such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, inviting them to participate in a Robux giveaway.
- The message usually contains a link to a fake URL shortener, such as “urlshrt1.ru” or “wa5.ru”.
- Once the person clicks on the link, they are taken to a fake Roblox page that looks very similar to the real one. The page usually has the Roblox logo and asks the person to answer a few simple questions (such as “Do you know Roblox?” or “Kennst Du Roblox?”) to participate in the giveaway.
- After answering the questions, the person is then asked to click on a box to reveal their prize, which is always a large amount of Robux, such as 22,500.
- Once the person clicks on the box, they are told that they have won the prize and are asked to complete a few simple steps to claim it. These steps usually involve sharing the promotion with their friends and filling out a registration form.
- The person is then asked to share the promotion with their friends on WhatsApp or other social media platforms. They are also asked to provide their personal information, such as their name, email address, and delivery address.
- After the person has shared the promotion and provided their personal information, they are told that their prize will be delivered to them soon.
- However, the prize never arrives, and the scammers now have access to the person’s personal information, which they can use for further scams or even identity theft.
- In some versions of the scam, the person may be prompted to download a malware-infected app or visit a website that installs malware on their device. The website or app may have a name like “Roblox 2.0” or “Roblox Upgrade.”
- The person may also be asked to pay a fee to claim their prize or to purchase Robux directly from the scammer. However, even if the person pays the fee or purchases Robux, they will not receive anything in return.
In summary, the Robux giveaway scam preys on people’s desire to win a large amount of Robux and tricks them into sharing personal information and promoting the scam to their friends. It is important to be cautious when receiving messages about supposed giveaways and to never provide personal information or promote a scam to others.
Examples of such scams
Scams that promise free virtual currency or other valuable items in popular online games like Roblox are unfortunately quite common. Cybercriminals use various tactics to trick people into visiting fake websites, entering personal information, or performing other actions that help them make money or steal sensitive data. The Robux Giveaway Scam, which we described, is just one example of such fraudulent schemes. Below, we’ll provide links to other similar scams that you should be aware of to avoid becoming a victim of online fraud: Mr Beast Giveaway SCAM, Elon Musk Giveaway Marathon Scam, and Crypto Giveaway Scam.
What to do if you receive a WhatsApp message or social media post with a link to the Robux giveaway promotion
If you receive a WhatsApp message or social media post with a link to the Robux giveaway promotion, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself:
- The first and most important step is to avoid clicking on the link. This can help prevent you from being directed to a fake website or downloading harmful software.
- If you are interested in participating in the promotion, it is recommended to verify the legitimacy of the promotion by checking the official Robux website or social media channels. Legitimate promotions are usually advertised on the company’s official channels, so if you cannot find any information about the promotion there, it is likely a scam.
- If you suspect that the message is a scam, report it to the relevant authorities. For WhatsApp, you can report the message by tapping and holding on the message and selecting “Report” from the menu. For other social media platforms, look for a “Report” or “Flag” option.
- If you receive a suspicious message, it is important to warn your contacts about the scam to prevent them from falling victim to it. You can do this by forwarding the message to your contacts and explaining why you believe it is a scam.
- Never provide personal information, such as your address, phone number, or credit card details, in response to a suspicious message or website. Legitimate companies would never ask for this information in this way.
By following these steps, you can help protect yourself and others from falling victim to the Robux giveaway scam and other similar scams.
Threat Summary
Name | Robux Giveaway Scam |
Type | Phishing Scam |
Fake claims | Offers free Robux or other virtual currency for Roblox in exchange for personal information and social media sharing |
Scammers websites | urlshrt1.ru, wa5.ru, and similar domains |
Disguise | Pretends to be an official Roblox promotion or giveaway |
Symptoms | Messages from unknown senders or fake accounts, suspicious URLs, fake web pages |
Damage | Theft of personal data, financial loss, identity theft, malware infection |
Distribution | Social media, messaging apps, search engines, and other online channels |
Target Audience | Young Roblox players and their parents |
Prevention Tips | 1) Do not click on suspicious links; 2) Verify the legitimacy of the promotion through official channels; 3) Warn your contacts about the scam; 4) Protect your personal information |
Reporting Info | 1) Report the message to WhatsApp or other social media platforms; 2) Report the scam to the relevant authorities (such as the National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in the UK); 3) Consider reporting the scam to ROBLOX Customer Service or social media channels |
How to spot and avoid such scams?
Here are some tips on how to spot and avoid scams like the Robux Giveaway Scam:
- Be wary of unsolicited messages. If you receive a message or email from an unknown sender, be cautious. Do not click on any links or download any attachments until you have verified that the sender is legitimate.
- Look out for spelling and grammatical errors. Scammers often use poor spelling and grammar, which can be a red flag. Legitimate companies usually have a team of professional writers who proofread their communications.
- Check the website address. Before you enter any personal information or payment details, make sure you are on a legitimate website. Check the URL to see if it matches the company’s official website.
- Verify Suspicious Links with Online Scanners. Use online services such as VirusTotal or URLScan.io to scan the suspicious link before clicking on it. To do this, copy the URL of the suspicious link and paste it into the search bar of the VirusTotal or URLScan.io website.
- Don’t give out personal information. Be cautious about giving out personal information, such as your name, address, phone number, or email address. Legitimate companies will not ask for this information unless it is necessary to complete a transaction.
- Be suspicious of offers that seem too good to be true. Scammers often use enticing offers to lure people in. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
By following these tips, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to scams like the Robux Giveaway Scam. If you suspect that you have been targeted by a scam, report it to the relevant authorities immediately.
Conclusion
In conclusion, scams like the Robux Giveaway Scam are becoming increasingly common, and it is essential to remain vigilant and cautious when it comes to suspicious messages or links. It is always better to err on the side of caution and verify links with online scanners like VirusTotal and URLScan.io before clicking on them. Additionally, it is crucial to educate ourselves and our loved ones about the signs and symptoms of scams to prevent falling victim to them. Remember, prevention is the best defense against these types of scams, and staying informed is the key to staying safe in the digital age.