Message appearing on Facebook claims that users can receive a free Shell Gas Card worth $100 by clicking a link in the post.

To elaborate, the message is not an official Shell promotion. The message is a typical survey scam. Users who fall for the ruse and follow the link will first be tricked into spamming the same fake promotion to their friends. Done by “liking” and “sharing” the bogus Shell promotions page. Next, they will be told they must complete a survey or offer before receiving their free gas card. Some of the “survey” pages ask users to provide personal information, including name, address, contact details, etc. Ostensibly to allow them to go in the draw for a prize.

Others invite them to download dubious toolbars, games or software. Still, others will claim that users must provide their mobile phone number. Thereby subscribing to absurdly expensive text messaging services – in order to get the results of a survey or go in the running for a prize.

No matter how many offers or surveys they complete, or what services they subscribe to. Victims will never receive their promised gas cards.

The scammers who create these bogus promotions will earn commissions. This may be via suspect affiliate marketing schemes, each and every time a victim completes an offer or participates in a survey. Victims may also be faced with large phone bills for unwanted mobile phone services. And because they have provided name and contact details, they may be inundated with unwanted promotional emails, phone calls and junk mail.

Shell Gas has no involvement with this bogus promotion. Ultimately, if one of these spam messages appears on your Facebook wall, delete it. Do not click on any links that it contains.