It’s Republic Day and it also means the best time to lure thousands of people with fake promotions via social media. While these kind of spam messages are limited to email and Facebook, the photosharing app Instagram seems to have fallen victim as well.

Fake pages have started on populating on Facebook-owned Instagram that lure Indians with promise of attractive giveaways on Republic Day. These pages claim that online retailer Amazon is offering Rs 9,000 as gift cards to its new followers, reports Economic Times. These pages also claim that Paytm is crediting Rs 4,000 to its users for every mention on Instagram while fashion portal Myntra owned by Flipkart is giving away vouchers worth for Rs 3,999 for sharing its page.

ALSO READ:  Jagan Mohan Reddy: A 'Role Model' Chief Minister Of Andhra Pradesh

An Instagram page by the name of Amazongoindia has managed to attract 20,000 new followers within a week. The page claims to offer gift cards worth Rs 9,000 for the first time 30,000 followers on January 26. However, thousands of followers who like these pages end up waiting for their gift cards and e-vouchers. Most of these people are unaware that they have fallen prey to social media scam and have ended up liking fake pages.

According to cybersecurity researchers, these fake pages manage to add over 10,000 followers within a week using these scam messages and then rename the page and sell them for anywhere between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000 depending upon the number of followers. The researchers also note that the scamsters generally use names of e-commerce companies to attract new followers.

ALSO READ:  Snake Buddies: This Hyderabad NGO Is Busting Myths, Rescuing The Reptiles For Over Two Decades

Paytm and Flipkart say that they have taken up the issue with Instagram and have requested to bank these fake pages. While Amazon did not comment on the issue, Instagram says it takes fake accounts seriously and will take necessary action against those violating its rules.

While users have started red flags about these pages, the scamsters have gotten better by pretending to be transparent about the giveaways on the pages. They post messages suggesting they are trying to reach all those who followed the page and are facing technical issues.

ALSO READ:  Why Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Is Getting 'Ready To Resign'?

While users need to be cautious before liking such pages on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, the researchers say platforms need to get more vigilant about such fake accounts. One of the suggestion is to not allow these pages to change the username and URL of the account. #KhabarLive

15 COMMENTS

  1. I simply want to tell you that I am very new to weblog and seriously savored your blog site. Very likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You certainly have outstanding writings. Bless you for sharing with us your web-site.

  2. Faytech North America is a touch screen Manufacturer of both monitors and pcs. They specialize in the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of Capacitive touch screen, Resistive touch screen, Industrial touch screen, IP65 touch screen, touchscreen monitors and integrated touchscreen PCs. Contact them at http://www.faytech.us, 121 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013, +1 646 205 3214

  3. I just desire to share it with you that I am new to blog posting and absolutely liked your post. More than likely I am inclined to save your blog post . You absolutely have impressive article blog posts. Acknowledge it for sharing with us your favorite site report

  4. I really have to notify you that I am new to blogging and undeniably adored your work. Very likely I am going to remember your blog post . You truly have excellent article blog posts. Like it for discussing with us your website report

  5. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. appreciate it

  6. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this fantastic blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this website with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

  7. Hello! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to check it out. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Exceptional blog and fantastic style and design.

  8. Hey, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, excellent blog!

  9. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. cheers

  10. With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my permission. Do you know any methods to help protect against content from being stolen? I’d really appreciate it.

  11. Google

    Check beneath, are some absolutely unrelated internet websites to ours, however, they’re most trustworthy sources that we use.

Comments are closed.