Scammers on the internet keep track of the new smart phones which are going to be published. They do this so they can create malicious scams or hoaxes on social media networks. Earlier we described how scammers used the iPhone 6 device from Apple to lure unaware people to malicious websites and environments. The scammers urged the users to share and like the scam before the users are allowed to participate, once the user is “participating” in the scam, the scammers urge the user (victim) to provide personal information which might be interesting for the scammers.
It is also a common technique for the scammers to include malware on their malicious websites and scams. The malware allows the scammers to control the device of the user, which in order allows them to search for valuable information or information which might be used against the victim. There are various examples of ransom ware cases, and in one case it resulted in the death of a teenager.
The scammers on the internet will often urge the users to perform the following actions:
- Like the scam
- Share the scam
- Enter a survey
- Download an application or codex
The scammers also request the following personal information:
- Mobile number
- Phone number
- Address
- Second Address
- City
- Birth date
- Pet name
- Social Security Number
- Credit card information
The next step which we decided to take is to list up all the possible smart phone scams that might hit unaware internet users in 2015.
We have listed down the following possible smart phone scams:
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Mini
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Active
- Samsung Galaxy A7
- HTC ONE M9
- HTC ONE M9 Plus / Prime / Ultra
- Sony Xperia Z4
- LG G4
- LG G Flex 2
- Microsoft Lumia 940
- iPhone 7
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5
- Nexus 6
- Xiaomi Mi Note Pro
- OnePlus Two
- Tesco Hudl smartphone
- Ubuntu smartphone
Free Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge scams
Scammers on the internet will try to infect unaware users by claiming that the users are able to win a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge mobile device by following certain steps which are described in the Facebook scam. The chance is very small that the users which have participated in the Facebook Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge event will ever obtain a device via the event. The scammers launch these type of scams to farm clicks and personal information. It is not only the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge smart phone which could be used for the scams, the scammers might use the Samsung Galaxy S6 Mini or Active version to lure unaware internet users.
Free Samsung Galaxy A7 scams
The Samsung Galaxy A7 device is also a potential device for the scammers to use in their campaigns. The Samsung Galaxy A7 is a very wanted device by Samsung fans and the chance is high that these fans will not wait in line to get a Samsung Galaxy A7 device from the store, if they see the opportunity to get a Samsung Galaxy A7 in advance, they will be lured by the mentioned Facebook Smartphone scams.
Free HTC ONE M9 scams
The HTC ONE M9 scams will work in the same order as the previously mentioned scams. The scammers behind the HTC ONE M9 campaign will try to collect personal information, likes and other valuable information from their victims. The victims are often lured by fancy pictures and titles which claim that they can win a free HTC ONE M9 device. Beware that the scammers might use the M9 Prime or Ultra version in their titles or pictures to lure niche targets to their malicious environments.
Free Sony Xperia Z4 scams
The Sony Xperia smart phones are often used in Facebook campaigns to lure unaware Xperia Z4 fans. The fans of the Xperia Z4 device keep track of Facebook events which provide an opportunity to win a official Sony Xperia Z4 device, but they are often tricked into fake events which are controlled by scammers.
Free LG G4 scams
The scammers do not limit themselves to the previously mentioned devices. They will certainly create scams for the LG devices. The LG G Flex 2 and the LG G4 devices are expected to be used in social media scams. The scammers will claim to give away free LG devices to users which participate in their campaigns.
We understand
We certainly understand that you get the picture, but just to be sure, the scammers might use the following smart phone devices and brands to lure unaware internet users to their malicious websites.
- Free Microsoft Lumia 940 scams
- Free iPhone 7 scams
- Free Samsung Galaxy Note 5 scams
- Free Nexus 6 scams
- Free Xiaomi Mi Note Pro scams
- Free OnePlus Two scams
- Free Tesco Hudl smartphone scams
What to do if you have participated in a scam
It sucks to find out that you have participated in a scam, but do not fear, there are still options which will provide you a security layer.
Please follow these guides on how to secure your social media accounts and personal belongings:
In short:
- Change your password
- Notify your environment that malicious messages might be send
- Check your plug-in
- Check your social media applications