The Ree Drummond Le Creuset Giveaway Scam is a sophisticated and misleading operation, widely advertised on social media platforms like Facebook with enticing ads claiming, “If you’re looking to make stunning holiday treats like never before, then DON’T MISS this exclusive opportunity!! Click below and UPGRADE your kitchen with Ree Drummond’s Le Creuset giveaway before they’re all gone“.
These ads cleverly utilize deep fake technology, featuring a video with a voice resembling Ree Drummond’s, creating an illusion of legitimacy. This scam not only uses the trusted name of a celebrity chef but also employs advanced technological methods to enhance its deceitful appeal.
How the Scam Works
Social Media Ads
The scam features compelling ads on platforms like Facebook. These ads include a video with deep fake technology, using a voice that sounds like Ree Drummond’s to describe the fake giveaway. The ads give a false impression that Ree Drummond is personally involved in the giveaway.
Scam Websites
When people click on these ads, they are redirected to websites like laurelcardio.com. These sites look legitimate and contain fake testimonials and urgent calls to action. However, they have no real connection to Ree Drummond or Le Creuset.
Deceptive Surveys
The websites host surveys that claim to determine eligibility for the giveaway. This is a tactic to engage people further and make the scam look legitimate.
Request for Personal Information
After completing the survey, users are falsely informed that they have won and are asked to provide personal information, supposedly to ship the prize.
Financial Fraud
In the most harmful phase of the scam, users are asked to enter their credit card details to cover supposed shipping costs. The real intention is to steal financial information and sign victims up for costly, recurring subscription services that are difficult to cancel.
Lack of Transparency
The scam websites, such as laurelcardio.com, are recently created and have hidden WHOIS information, indicating a lack of transparency and a red flag for scams.
No Real Giveaway Link
Direct visits to these websites show they have no actual connection to any Ree Drummond Le Creuset Giveaway, further proving their fraudulent nature.
Summary Table
| Name | Ree Drummond Le Creuset Giveaway Scam |
|---|---|
| Type | Online Scam / Phishing |
| Fake Claims | Free Le Creuset cookware sets giveaway endorsed by Ree Drummond |
| Disguise | Use of deep fake videos with Ree Drummond’s likeness and voice; false claims of association with Le Creuset |
| Scammers’ Websites | laurelcardio.com and others |
| Damage | Theft of personal and financial information; enrollment in costly, unwanted subscriptions |
| Distribution | Social media platforms (Facebook), leveraging deep fake technology |
| Indicators of Scam | Urgency in ads (“limited availability”), requests for credit card details, newly created websites with hidden WHOIS information, no direct links to legitimate Le Creuset giveaways |
| Prevention Tips | Verify offers through official channels, be skeptical of “too good to be true” deals, never share personal or financial information without thorough verification, be aware of deep fake technology |
| Reporting Info | Report to social media platforms (where ads were seen), file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your local consumer protection agency, alert the official Le Creuset website about the misuse of their brand |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Ree Drummond Le Creuset Giveaway Scam is a complex scheme using fake ads on social media, deep fake videos, and scam websites. These methods trick people into divulging their personal and credit card information. The scam doesn’t just steal information; it also signs people up for expensive subscriptions that are hard to cancel. The websites involved, like laurelcardio.com, are new and have no real link to the giveaway they claim to be part of.
To protect yourself from these scams and understand them better, you should read the ‘Le Creuset Giveaway Scam‘ article. This article explains how these scams work, what to do if you’ve been scammed, and how to spot similar scams in the future. Being aware and informed is crucial for staying safe online. 🛡️🔍🌐
