Fact Check: Is Cadbury giving away free chocolates on Valentine's Day?

The link provided can be viewed here.

https://tinyurl.su/u661874745/

NewsMeter received the link as a forwarded message on WhatsApp.

Fact Check:

The claim is false.

NewsMeter opened the link and was redirected to a website with the domain name `tinyurl'. It did not appear like the official website of the company. We can notice the difference between the original and the fake website.

When we clicked the link, we were directed to what looked like a Cadbury website. The website asked users to complete questionnaires in order to receive a valentine's day free giveaway. Later, the user is asked to click on the link and is given three chances to select a gift. We noticed that users win a gift at a second chance. This indicates that the link is fake.

Next, it did not redirect us to the official website. We clicked on the menu option and found it was not functioning either.

Third, once users win their "prizes", it asks them to share the link to any five or 20 WhatsApp friends or groups to claim their prize. It also asks them to enter their personal and financial details. This pattern has been noticed in many scams. Scams like this take the information of a user and hack their electronic devices. It connects the link to the IP address of the user and is a common method in hacking and stealing information. They also sell your personal information, making you vulnerable to online fraud.

On the main website of Cadbury, Valentine's special gifts are shown but they are not free giveaways. We also didn't find their official social media handles with such an announcement.

Hence, the viral link is a HOAX.

NewsMeter advises you to stay alert and not click on such links.