Toyota Tundra Scam Fools Social Media Users through a Giveaway Deception

Dec 17, 2023 11:34 PM EST

TOYOTA LAND CRUISER ON A SEASIDE CLIFF — (Photo : PEXELS/abdo alshreef )

The enticing Facebook promise, which emerged on various pages such as "2023 Tundra, TRD," captured the attention of a staggering 450,000 users who found themselves unwittingly ensnared in a deceptive web. Promising a generous "Christmas surprise" giveaway featuring a 2023 Toyota Tundra pickup truck.

2023 Toyota Tundra Giveaway, Scam

The scheme urged individuals to participate by commenting, clicking on a link, and engaging in surveys for a chance to win additional prizes. On December 15, 2023, a concerned reader contacted Snopes, seeking clarification about the legitimacy of this dubious campaign that preyed upon the hopes and aspirations of its countless victims.

As reported in Snopes, to enter, individuals were instructed to comment, click on a link, and complete surveys for other prizes. The fraudulent promotion, propagated through Facebook pages like "2023 Tundra, TRD," exploited the hopes and desires of countless users, who were led astray by alluring posts directing them to a dubious sites.google.com webpage.

The post read as "Christmas Surprise! This Toyota Tundra wasn't sold so were giving it to someone by December 19^th who shared and registered here." Snopes shared that another post urged Facebook Users to participate in the giveaway through comments by typing "@" and then selecting "highlight."

Within the pinned comment accompanying the post, users were directed to a website for the purpose of "validating" their entry. However, it's crucial to emphasize that none of these posts actually hosted a legitimate giveaway for the 2023 Toyota Tundra.

Regrettably, this entire scheme appeared to be a fraudulent endeavor meticulously designed to lure participants into completing surveys, signing up for "free trials" on websites, and engaging in other tasks, all with the ulterior motive of enabling the scammers to earn affiliate-marketing commissions.

In essence, it proved to be a futile and potentially perilous endeavor for those hopeful users yearning to secure a complimentary pickup truck. Tragically, as of December 15, an alarming number of Facebook users, totaling 450,000, had commented on just one of these posts.

The extent to which these individuals proceeded with the scam by clicking on any of the links remains uncertain.

It was the first time such scam targeted Facebook users. Last year Snopes also reported about a similar scheme involving giving away a Toyota car. A post informed users that they could enter the contest by leaving a comment that simply said "Done."

In May 2022, Toyota officials alerted Snopes to a deceptive Facebook post claiming a Toyota giveaway. The post, shared by the page "2019 Toyota 4Runner SR5" on May 13, falsely promised a 2021 Toyota 4Runner as a giveaway to those who commented "Done" by a certain deadline. Importantly, the page had no official ties to Toyota.

A Toyota spokesperson confirmed via email to Snopes that the post was a scam, and the company had requested Facebook's removal of it. However, the post remained active at that time, accumulating over 1.3 million comments and more than 11,000 shares.

The Facebook page, with 48,000 followers, did not claim any affiliation with Toyota and was described as "for the fans of Toyota."

Introducing: 2023 Toyota Tundra

According to Toyota's website, the Tundra is sold at starting MSRP $38,965. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, which is available for the Tundra, produces an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 lb.-ft. of torque, delivering an electrifying performance.

The beating heart of the Tundra, the i-FORCE engine, provides a robust output of up to 389 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of torque.

Its boasts of an impressive Max Towing Capability of up to 12,000 Pounds. Whether one's towing a trailer or venturing into the desert with your ATVs, the Tundra ensures it can confidently transport loads.