Warning over ‘sinister’ free Cadbury Easter basket scam on WhatsApp

Cadbury customers in Ireland have been tricked by the promise of a free “Cadbury EasterChocolate Basket” in a phishing scam circulating on WhatsApp and Facebook

Cadbury has warned its Irish customers of a cruel Easter hamper scam circulating on WhatsApp and Facebook.

Chocolate lovers have been sent links promising them a free ‘Cadbury Easter Chocolate Basket’, the Irish Mirror reports.

However, the firm has warned people not to open the link, pass over any details or share it with others.

One victim of the scam wrote on Facebook that criminals are stealing people’s identities through the site.

They said: “I’ve had 3 messages in last 5 minutes on Whatsapp promising a free choc hamper. It’s a scam please don’t fall for it.

“They wait you to fill it all in to steal identity. If something normally sounds too good to be true it usually is!”

Another said: “Just a heads up, if anyone gets a WhatsApp message offering free Cadbury Hampers, it’s a phishing scam that could potentially cost you money and loss of personal information .

“Don’t take the bait!!!”

While a third said: “Apologies for forwarding a post allegedly from Cadbury yesterday offering free chocolate. It’s a scam and was used in England a year or so back. As usual, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Cadbury has urged fans not to interact or share personal information through the post.

Other Cadbury hamper scams have also emerged, including a fake page that was set up on Facebook.

The fraudulent page named “Cadbury AU” published a post on Tuesday, claiming that a Cadbury employee named Becky White was running an Easter promotion.

It reads: “Hello everyone, my name is Becky White, and I’m one of the managers at Cadbury Australia! To celebrate Easter this year, EVERYONE who shares and comments by 11pm March 31st will get one of these Cadbury Hampers delivered to their food on April 10th. Limit 1 per person. Enjoy your free chocolate.”

Entrants are then encouraged to sign up to an external tracking page and “follow the steps” to “verify” their win.

Cadbury has confirmed that the post has nothing to do with them and asked people not to interact with it.