Social Media Festival Prize Scam

How Social Media Festival Prize Scam Works

Overview: The Social Media Festival Prize Scam ramps up before and after major Indian festivals. Scammers lure users on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with pop-up messages or sponsored ads claiming they’ve won a car, phone, or foreign holiday via random lucky spins or festival draws. To 'claim', users must pay a fee or fill sensitive data forms, putting both funds and identity at risk. How It Works: You encounter an ad or message stating you’ve won a major festival contest (like Diwali Mega Draw 2026), sometimes with a spinning wheel or celebratory animation. Following the message, you’re directed to a fake website where you’re required to pay a charge (₹799–₹6,000) via UPI or card, or share your PAN/Aadhaar, mobile number, and full address. Scammers then disappear or use your personal data for further fraud. India Angle: The scam is most active during Diwali, Holi, Eid, and New Year, exploiting excitement around brand sales. The ads are hyper-targeted to Indians using Hindi and regional languages, falsely claiming association with popular retail or e-commerce names like Flipkart and Amazon India. Many victims come from smaller towns, attracted by low-cost offers. Real Examples: 1. 'You’ve won a Maruti Car in the Diwali Gift Bonanza! Click here to claim: [Fake Link

Visual Intelligence:

BharatSecure's AI has identified this as a used in scams targeting Indian users.

Who Does Social Media Festival Prize Scam Target?

General public across India

What To Do If You Encounter Social Media Festival Prize Scam

1. Do not click any links or share personal information
2. Block and report the sender immediately
3. Report at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930
4. Inform your bank if financial details were shared

How to Report Social Media Festival Prize Scam in India

• Call 1930 — National Cyber Crime Helpline (24x7)
• File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in
• Contact your bank immediately if money was lost
• Call RBI helpline: 14440 for banking fraud

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Social Media Festival Prize Scam?

Overview: The Social Media Festival Prize Scam ramps up before and after major Indian festivals. Scammers lure users on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with pop-up messages or sponsored ads claiming they’ve won a car, phone, or foreign holiday via random lucky spins or festival draws. To 'claim', users must pay a fee or fill sensitive data forms, putting both funds and identity at risk. How It Works: You encounter an ad or message stating you’ve won a major festival contest (like Diwali Mega D

How does Social Media Festival Prize Scam work?

Overview: The Social Media Festival Prize Scam ramps up before and after major Indian festivals. Scammers lure users on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with pop-up messages or sponsored ads claiming they’ve won a car, phone, or foreign holiday via random lucky spins or festival draws. To 'claim', users must pay a fee or fill sensitive data forms, putting both funds and identity at risk. How It W

How to protect yourself from Social Media Festival Prize Scam?

Do not click any links or share personal information Block and report the sender immediately Report at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 Inform your bank if financial details were shared

How to report Social Media Festival Prize Scam in India?

Report to cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 (National Cyber Crime Helpline). You can also contact your local police station's cyber cell.

Verify Any Suspicious Message

Check any suspicious message, link, or call for free at bharatsecure.app. BharatSecure uses AI to detect scams in real-time and protect Indian users.