Fake Samsung Discounts Used in Online Phishing Scams

Numerous social media posts have claimed that Samsung in Cambodia is offering significant discounts on online orders. This advertisement has garnered considerable attention from Cambodian social media users. However, it has been discovered that these promotions are online scams.

SOCIAL MEDIA CLAIM

A social media post in late July announced that Samsung Electronics is offering up to 80% off the Galaxy Watch 6.

The discount is in celebration of the company’s 55th anniversary and the 13th anniversary of its entry into the Cambodian market.

These promotions have been widely shared on social media, attracting significant attention from Facebook users.

Below is an excerpt from a social media post dated July 29, 2024, described in English: “On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the Samsung brand 1969 - 2024 in Korea and the 13th anniversary of the establishment of the Samsung Service Electronic Cambodia empire. We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported us over the past time with a lucky draw program with the opportunity to receive a discount coupon of up to 78% for the best-selling smartwatch product line in 2023 - Samsung Galaxy Watch6. Thank you for always accompanying us in using Samsung products over the past time.” ។

Facebook Post | Archived

In addition to the English ad, another advertisement in Khmer was launched in late July, announcing that Samsung Cambodia was offering a 70% discount to the first 200 customers who order headsets.

The promotion features the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. Customers must register through a link provided in the ad to receive the discount.

Below is a snippet from a social media campaign on July 26, 2024, which states:

“Special promotion, discount up to 70%! Samsung Cambodia celebrates the second anniversary of its launch. To commemorate the past and thank our customers who have always supported Samsung, we offer the first 200 customers a 70% discount on the popular Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro line.”

Facebook Post | Archived Link

A similar promotion was also announced in Burmese, offering up to 70% off on the Samsung Watch 5. The ad specified that the discount was available for customers who ordered through the links provided in the social media ads.

Facebook Post | Archived Link

Besides being shared by Cambodian social media users, the same information was also posted on Facebook by users from other countries.

Facebook Post | Archived Link

FACT CHECK

Fact Crescendo Cambodia reviewed and verified the above advertisement by consulting with Samsung Electronics, their Cambodian representatives, and digital security experts. This investigation revealed the following facts:

Firstly, these Facebook pages are not affiliated with Samsung in South Korea or any official Facebook pages of companies authorized to distribute and retail Samsung products.

The Samsung Cambodia Facebook page has only 10 followers and was created on July 26, 2024. In contrast, Samsung’s official Facebook page in Cambodia has up to 161 million followers and features a blue verification badge confirmed by Meta, Facebook’s parent company.

On Samsung’s official Facebook page, we did not find any promotions offering up to 80% off on smartwatches.

For the global market, Samsung’s official Facebook page, Samsung Electronics, also did not feature any such discount promotions as advertised by the unofficial page.

Additionally, the link posted with the ad is not the official website of Samsung Electronics or an authorized distributor of Samsung products in Cambodia.

Samsung’s official Facebook page confirms that its official website is https://www.samsung.com, which is available in Thai.

Below is a screenshot from the front page of Samsung Electronics’ official website for Cambodia and Thailand.

Rewards on social media have existed for years and are often deemed scams by digital security experts.

Earlier this year, the Interior Ministry’s Technology Crimes Department warned about the risks for users and advertisers, particularly concerning personal information leaks.

Facebook Post | Archived Link

Digital security trainer Chhit Kanika notes that deceptive advertising has long used the names of well-known companies.

She added that these massive discount promotions are phishing attacks designed to lure social media users into clicking on links or providing personal information.

Ms. Kanika advised social media users to avoid engaging with such promotions and to be cautious about following any instructions, warning that personal information leaks could lead to malicious use by individuals.

CONCLUSION

Fact Crescendo Cambodia has determined that the announcement of Samsung offering huge discounts on smartwatches and earbuds is false. This advertisement is a hoax circulating on social media and online platforms.