Fans of WhatsApp should be on alert for another scam which has begun doing the rounds.
This latest fake message, which appears to come from Heineken, suggests users can win free beer by following a link to an official website.
Once clicked it not only tries to get hold of personal details but also sends the message on to 20 friends.
The scam is so bad it’s even got the attention of the police with a message on Twitter saying: “It sounds like a great offer but it’s a scam DO NOT CLICK THE LINK #fraud.”:
Heineken has also released a warning telling WhatsApp users to be aware of the issue.
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In a statement the beer company said: “The promotion states Heineken is giving away free kegs in celebration of its 140th Anniversary, and encourages recipients to share the message.
“This is indeed a scam and is not sanctioned by Heineken.
“Promotions of this type will always be announced via official Heineken® channels.
“We do not advise consumers to click on the link, share personal data, or share the message within their networks.
“When in doubt, please contact the consumer service hotline in your market.
“Note that versions of the scam message may also circulate via Twitter and Facebook.
“If one of these messages comes your way, do not follow any links that it contains.”
This latest alert comes just a month after WhatsApp users were duped by another fake message which claimed to be from Adidas.
The fake message suggested that WhatsApp fans could be in with the chance to be part of a free giveaway.
The message, which appears to come from an official Adidas website, claimed: “Adidas is giving away 3000 Free Pair of Shoes to celebrate its 93rd anniversary. Get your free shoes at: Adidas.com/shoes.
According to cyber experts at DomainTools, the cyber campaign shares an IP with around 244 other domains, and was getting a plenty of visitors.
Hackers sometimes disguise hidden website in what appears to be a real domain name but there is a simple way to check if a site is legitimate.
By hovering your mouse, or finger on a smartphone, over the link to the website, a pop-up window will reveal its true identity.
Other advice includes always make sure you stay alert to messages that appear on social media or from people you don’t know.
It’s rare for companies to send out competitions via services such as WhatsApp and, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.