Cadbury scam warning: Fake chocolate giveaway messages on WhatsApp
Fake Cadbury scam messages were widely shared on WhatsApp last Easter and reemerged at Christmas. Here’s what to look out for
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Last Easter a Cadbury scam message began spreading through WhatsApp promising a ‘free easter chocolate basket’.
The message and the URL it included had nothing to do with Cadbury, which urged its customers not to interact with it, stating on Twitter:
“We’ve been made aware of circulating posts on social media claiming to offer consumers a free Easter Chocolate basket. We can confirm this hasn't been generated by us & we urge consumers not to interact. Your security is our priority & we’re currently working to resolve this.”
Good MorningA fake message posing as Cadbury is spreading quickly on WhatsApp. It's inviting people to grab a ‘Cadbury FREE Easter Chocolate Basketby clicking through a link that has nothing to do with #Cadbury. Do not interactPlease spread this message to your family&friends pic.twitter.com/m8OnjIHcLWApril 1, 2022
Here we explain how you can spot the latest scam.
Whatsapp Cadbury scam messages
Scam WhatsApp messages are essentially the same as SMS phishing scams: they encourage the recipient to follow a URL leading to a site that will attempt to capture sensitive personal information, which could include your bank/card details.
But the nature of the WhatsApp platform also makes these messages extremely easy to forward to friends and family.
While receiving a text message out of the blue from a number you don’t recognise could arouse suspicion, receiving it from a friend or family could bring an element of trust.
The fraudsters are relying on you believing that the ‘giveaway’ is genuine and helping them reach as many people as possible by passing it on.
This gives them a higher chance of extracting sensitive information from you.
Fake Cadbury WhatsApps reappear at Christmas
Over Christmas 2022, very similar tactics were back, this time promising a ‘Christmas giveaway’ and including a very similar URL to the ones seen over Easter.
The people behind this message are relying on it being shared thousands of times through WhatsApp, with many members of the public believing they were innocently doing their friends and family a favour by giving them the chance to win free chocolate.
The reappearance of the ‘Cadbury’ tactics over Christmas is a strong indication that the messages will return again, most likely next Easter. They could also target more seasonal events.
What should I do to spot and report fake WhatsApp messages?
If you’ve received a message out of the blue on WhatsApp promising something for nothing, treat it with caution, even if it’s from a friend or family member.
Remember that brands are unlikely to offer something for nothing, and even less likely to be using suspicious URLs that promote giveaways and competitions.
If you have received the message from someone you know, let them know that you’re suspicious of the URL and that you would not advise them to visit the page or send it on to anyone else.
To report a fake WhatsApp message, take a screenshot and email it to report@phishing.gov.uk
Fake websites should also be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre (opens in new tab) here.
I think I’ve been taken in by a fake website, what should I do?
If you or one of your contacts has entered sensitive information, such as your bank/card details, into a third-party site you were taken to via a suspicious WhatsApp message or text, you need to let your bank know what’s happened via its official channels ASAP.
Your bank should work with you to cancel your card, block any pending payments (if required) and refund the money you’ve lost.
You should also then keep an eye out for any follow-up scams that could occur if you give your contact details, such as your email address, postal address or phone number, to fraudsters. Treat any contact you receive out of the blue with caution.
How to report scams and get your money back
Cadbury was approached for comment but it did not respond.
George is a freelance consumer journalist with a keen interest in scams and housing. He worked for the Consumers' Association for seven years where he was the editor of Which? Conversation - his work on exposing new scams saw him often quoted in the national press.
George has been at the forefront of the cladding and building safety crisis, campaigning for the rights of leaseholders and giving a voice to those caught up in the scandal - as a result he was nominated for Property Journalist of the Year in 2021 at the Property Press Awards.
-
-
Selling second-hand: do I need to pay tax?
If you sell on sites like eBay and Facebook – do you need to pay tax on money earned?
By Sue Hayward • Published
-
Broadband scams warning: scam calls cash in on upcoming price hikes
As broadband prices are set to hike from April, so are broadband scam - we explain how to spot the scams
By Vaishali Varu • Published
-
Selling second-hand: do I need to pay tax?
If you sell on sites like eBay and Facebook – do you need to pay tax on money earned?
By Sue Hayward • Published
-
Broadband scams warning: scam calls cash in on upcoming price hikes
As broadband prices are set to hike from April, so are broadband scam - we explain how to spot the scams
By Vaishali Varu • Published
-
Revealed: Airline exchange rate rip-off hikes flight costs up to 11%
Some airlines add a hefty markup when flights are paid for in sterling rather than a different currency. We reveal which airlines use a poor exchange rate - and how to avoid getting stung
By Ruth Emery • Published
-
Nectar Big Points Bonanza: boost your Nectar points balance this week
Earn thousands of extra Nectar points by 4 February through Nectar Big Points Bonanza
By John Fitzsimons • Published
-
TV licence scam warning: how to spot the latest fake emails
How TV Licence scam emails pressure you to part with your bank details
By George Martin • Published
-
Food inflation hits record 16.7% - is it time to switch to a cheaper supermarket?
With food inflation at a record high, is it time to switch to a cheaper supermarket? Find out which comes out as the cheapest and how much you can save
By Vaishali Varu • Published
-
Reforms to child maintenance to support domestic abuse victims
Mothers will be protected from having direct contact with abusive ex-partners when claiming child maintenance payments under new reforms
By Katie Binns • Published
-
Thousands caught out by high-income child benefit tax charge
Ten years on from the introduction of the high income child benefit charge, we explain how it works, who needs to pay it, and how to avoid fines
By Ruth Emery • Published