New scam claims that “you’ve made the 5-billionth search” on Google

There are so many deceptive advertisements, online surveys, and websites that it’s nearly impossible to keep track of them all. New scams are being introduced to the world wide web every day in hopes that malicious social engineering efforts are successful. One of the most recent web page scams claims that you are Google’s 5-billionth search and have won a prize such as an iPhone or gift card.

A deceptive website has decided to masquerade as Google even copying Google.com’s web design in hopes to dupe unsuspecting internet visitors into believing that they are the 5-billionth search for the day. The website says “you were evaluated as the winner of today’s 5-billionth search query a few minutes ago by our system” and claims that you can select a prize. However, there really is no prize. This is a scam designed to phish manually submitted information such as your full name, home address, email address, and more.

The goal of the Google 5-billionth search scam is to trick visitors into thinking they won a prize in order to persuade them into exchanging their personal information. Scammers are known to use information they collect in various efforts which includes more scams and marketing campaigns. Those who fell for the scam and submitted their information can expect to receive more phone calls from telemarketers and scammers as well as junk mail at home.

Here’s a transcript of the scam copied from a webpage:

You’ve made the 5-billionth search.

You were evaluated as the winner of today’s 5-billionth search query a few minutes ago by our system!

Our last winner was Brad Jenkins from Brussels, Belgium, who won a Samsung KU6179 Ultra HD TV on 14.05.2018 with his 5-billionth Search.

We are proud to announce that you are our next winner.

Every time the 5-billionth search is reached, we proclaim a winner and reset the counter.

You may choose one of three hidden prizes below. In addition, you will be entered in our Hall of Fame and receive a winner’s certificate.

Behind every blue cup is a prize. Click on a prize cup to uncover it.

For technical reasons, we are not allowed to keep your invitation open for more than 15 minutes. Choose one of the prizes below and follow the instructions on your screen.

There’s not much you can do to avoid unwanted phone calls and junk mail; However, you can make efforts to avoid deceptive and malicious websites by using antivirus software with real-time protection like Norton Antivirus. Reputable antivirus software and apps with real-time protection will also stop malware from downloading onto your computer or mobile device. Check out our tools for the best antivirus, anti-malware, and utility programs available on the market.

Sean Doyle

Sean is a distinguished tech author and entrepreneur with over 20 years of extensive experience in cybersecurity, privacy, malware, Google Analytics, online marketing, and various other tech domains. His expertise and contributions to the industry have been recognized in numerous esteemed publications. Sean is widely acclaimed for his sharp intellect and innovative insights, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the tech community. His work not only advances the field but also helps businesses and individuals navigate the complexities of the digital world.

36 Responses

  1. Anonymous says:

    I looked up Zuni Indian Tribe Removal Act on Google, clicked the third link, and got this, but my computer said it was a scam and wouldn’t let me claim my $1000 Amazon gift card. Help!

  2. Anonymous says:

    I just got this, and i was very exed. Luckily, my dad had warned me about a week ago about phishing, and I noticed the URL was not Google’s. DO NOT fill the info out. just close the tab, and use a different search engine. DO NOT FILL OUT ANYTHING IT IS A SCAM!!!

  3. Barenaba says:

    Hi, Can anyone help with this case, “Thank you for your participation, we have the following products today: Wednesday, February 24, 2021.
    You may choose only (1) product from the list below.” I won that but I’m not sure it is true coz there other comment that website, says they receive their prize

  4. Makenzie says:

    hi im makenzie and i got the 1000 gift card were is it

  5. HI says:

    My dad got this page 2 times and we figured it was a scam because I looked and saw the URL is not a Google URL.

  6. Anonymous says:

    i put my email in thats it will i still get calls or anything like that

  7. none says:

    IT HAPPENED TO ME EVEN TODAY WHEN I FOUND OUT I WAS TOO SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDDd

  8. Ace Gaming says:

    i get this every time i search something up, if it wasn’t for my Dad telling me to ignore it, i would have fell for it!!!

  9. Anonymous says:

    Smart man

  10. Anonymous says:

    I got this scam when I originally planned to play Surviv.io. I won a $100 Walmart gift card. Good thing I rejected it.

  11. Keira says:

    Umm, I got the 5 billionth search thing today. There were 3 little presents and it told me to pick one and apparently I won a 1000 dollar Amazon gift card. I didn’t know if this was real or not so I searched up on google again and it said I was the winner. I got really excited thinking I won something then I went on my brothers computer and searched it up and it said that I was a winner on that computer too??? Explanations???

  12. Anonymous says:

    my friend got it i searched it and every website said its a scam i told him

  13. LOVEHEARTSPLAYER129 says:

    I got this too. It said “You just made the 5 billionth search! Pick a prize!” Well 1st of all, my parents won’t approve and 2nd of all, its corona time and I “Got” a Walmart gift card but the store will shut down soon so there will be no use for it really. This is a total scam don’t trust the “YOU MADE THE 5 BILLIONTH SEARCH!”

  14. Anonymous says:

    Fuck men I was tricked please try to inform as many people as you can it’s a scam!!!!!

  15. Anonymous says:

    This dad it’s not work it’s a scam

  16. Anonymous says:

    That happen to me

  17. Bokang Khandala says:

    I WAS OFFICIALLY SCAMMED TODAY, THIS COMMENT SERVES AS CLARITY TO THOSE WHO WILL BE SCAMMED IN THE FUTURE

    ” THE IS NO PRIZE, ITS A LIE”

  18. Anonymous says:

    I fell for it what do I do now?!

  19. zaldatil says:

    i had alot of securety maseges and then loset the tab

  20. Anonymous says:

    I was gonna win an I pone x but silly me did not accept it and now I regret my actions😭

  21. Aron Pholo says:

    How do i access tha Price um in Botswana Gaborone….please reply on my email

  22. Anonymous says:

    this hapened to me on my old computer but i accidentally turned off google so how can i procced this

  23. Anonymous says:

    that happend to me to

  24. Jann says:

    That happened to me

  25. chimwemwe maluwa says:

    my name is chimwemwe maluwa yesterday i waz been announced as a winner of 5billionth downlods search, but while during my proces electricity got off,. is there any other way i can procced this?

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