FACEBOOK SCAM - 'Free Harley Davidson Giveaway'

A 'Harley Sweepstakes' Facebook Page currently being promoted across the network features a post claiming that you can win a Harley Davidson Road King just by liking the page, adding a comment specifying what colour bike you would like, and sharing an image of the supposed prize with your Facebook friends.

The post advises you to hurry because 'entries' close on September 30, 2014. Supposedly, the 'lucky' winners will be announced on October 31st.

However, the Page is a like-farming scam. The Page is not giving away Harley Davidsons or any other prizes. Those duped into participating in the bogus 'sweepstake' will win nothing at all.

The image supposedly depicting the free Harley Davidson giveaway appears on various motorcycle review websites and has obviously been stolen for reuse in the scam post.

The goal of the scammers operating the fake competition is simple. They aim to accumulate as many page likes as possible in the shortest possible time. And, by tricking people into commenting and sharing as well as liking, they ensure that their fake posts reach a great many Facebook users. This free promotion ensures that they will gain even more likes from unsuspecting users.

A Facebook Page that has gained a large amount of likes is a valuable commodity for scammers and unscrupulous Internet marketers.

It may subsequently be used as a vehicle for survey scams or other types of fraudulent activity. Or, it may be used to aggressively market a particular product or service to a large audience.

Alternatively, the Page may be sold to other fraudsters via a thriving black market. The more likes a Page has, the more money it can be sold for.

Like-farming scams are very common on Facebook. Scammers regularly use the entirely empty promise of free luxury vehicles, vacations, or tech prizes to trick people into liking and sharing.

Be wary of any supposed competition that offers the chance to win an expensive prize just by liking, sharing, and commenting.