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.
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!
Try using a different computer.
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!!!
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
hi im makenzie and i got the 1000 gift card were is it
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.
i put my email in thats it will i still get calls or anything like that
IT HAPPENED TO ME EVEN TODAY WHEN I FOUND OUT I WAS TOO SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDDd
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!!!
Smart man
I got this scam when I originally planned to play Surviv.io. I won a $100 Walmart gift card. Good thing I rejected it.
i got an 1000 dollar gift card and I almost put my MOMs GMAIL address thank GOD I saw this post I would’ve been SORRY
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???
It is a scam
my friend got it i searched it and every website said its a scam i told him
Yes it is i because i gpt this in north can, ohio and id did bard jekins won in ohio
r u even speaking in english?
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!”
Fuck men I was tricked please try to inform as many people as you can it’s a scam!!!!!
This dad it’s not work it’s a scam
That happen to me
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”
I fell for it what do I do now?!
i had alot of securety maseges and then loset the tab
I was gonna win an I pone x but silly me did not accept it and now I regret my actions😭
I phone X
It’s a scam. You won’t win anything.
It’s a scam. You won’t win anything.
How do i access tha Price um in Botswana Gaborone….please reply on my email
this hapened to me on my old computer but i accidentally turned off google so how can i procced this
It is a scam…
that happend to me to
That happened to me
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?
How do you remember to breathe?
I got it then I asked my dad and he said it was a scam sooo I reacted it