Scammers are everywhere in the field, whether you perform online activities on social media or even do online shopping. In this case, having scammers in the gaming world is not a big deal. Therefore scamming on gaming consoles such as Retro Gaming Console priced at just $4.99 will grab the people, especially gamers!
Now let’s think you love too much playing online games, therefore you know about such gaming consoles like Evercade VS, Polymega, Analogue Pocket, and PlayStation 1 and always be ready to grab them at heavy discounts. Now, if you suddenly come across beautiful ads claiming “Retro Gaming Console priced at just $4.99, then will you be able to stop yourself from buying?
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Let’s come along and uncover the truth of the $4.99 Retro Gaming Console Scam.
Introduction: $4.99 Retro Gaming Console Scam
The scammers know very well, how people are active on social media sites and this is one of the places where scammers can trap the people into their plans.
The scam starts with deceptive ads on various platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc., that attract people by showing the low price of the Retro Gaming Console.
Using social media ads with a false promise of offering the old games to the gamers, they used to play in their childhood is available at almost no cost is not a new plan in scammers world. They often say these deals won’t last long to make people want to buy quickly.
When you click on ads for a $4.99 Retro Console, it takes you to a website where you can buy the cheap gaming system. These websites usually look very professional and real. But if you look closely, you might see some warning signs.
In reality, websites with red flags mostly appear as scam websites managed by scammers. The only purpose of selling the $4.99 Retro Gaming Console is to fraud with people’s money and their personal information.
How the $4.99 Retro Gaming Console Scam Started?
As always there is not a new plan for the scammers to make people trap into their scammy plans. Let’s discuss this in brief and come across the common ways scammers use to make people the victim.
1. Social Media Ads
The scam starts with an eye-catching image and attractive content that makes a beautiful ad to grab people’s attention on various social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to promote the Retro Gaming Console at $4.99. Specifically, targets the audience of gaming lovers and those who are lost in the gaming world. The only aim of these beautiful ads is to tell the people about the deal and make them ready to buy the Retro Gaming Console.
2. Fake Selling Website
The only aim of the fake website is to take people to the scam website to make a purchase. In this case, scammers claim the original website of Retro Gaming Console is Viralie.co. When people click on the ads, it directs people to the scam website which is almost the same as the original website but in reality, it is fake. The website is designed with some legitimate information like product details, terms & conditions, privacy policy, refund policy, about us, and contact us, to make people believe in the website.
3. Grab a deal for $4.99 with a heavy discount
The website is very simple to make a purchase. It only asks for simple personal information such as name, address, and credit card details to complete the purchase. Once, you’re done with filing this information, you will receive an email informing you about your order details.
4. End up with a duplicate product
After you pay the product fees, you don’t get the $4.99 Retro Console that you were promised. If you do get something after a few weeks, it’s a low-quality fake console, not at all like what was shown and described on the website. In any case, you end up spending a lot more than the initial $4.99.
5. No contact
Often scammers are so clever that they pretend to be an original representative from the respective company but it is not what they are. They come up with fake cum original contact details just to make people believe they can contact us (scammers) with any problem. However, when people contact, their (scammers) contact details are found to be not valid.
Scammers use these steps to make a lot of money from the $4.99 Retro Gaming Console Scam on social media. The low price attracts people, but in the end, the scammers take your money and information.
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How to Stay Alert from the $4.99 Retro Gaming Console Scam?
1. Research: Always do your research before buying a gaming console online. Look for reviews and ratings of the seller or the product.
2. Price: If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of extremely low prices.
3. Payment Method: Avoid sellers who ask for payment methods that don’t offer buyer protection, like wire transfers or gift cards.
4. Secure Websites: Make sure the website is secure. Look for “https” in the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar.
5. Personal Information: Be cautious about sharing personal information. Legitimate sellers will never ask for unnecessary personal details.
6. Contact Information: Check if the seller has provided valid contact information. If not, it’s a red flag.
7. Return Policy: Always check the return policy before making a purchase.
8. Shipping Details: Be wary if the shipping details are vague or not provided at all.
9. Check-out on Social media:
According to a YouTuber Jordan, the TikTok ad claiming a $4 deal for a retro gaming console and Naruto is, in reality, a concealed subscription scam. It leads to the website Viralie.co, which is deemed fraudulent. If you’ve fallen for this, contact your credit card company immediately.
The terms of service reveal that they charge a monthly fee, initially $49.96, and then recurrently. This can add up to nearly $600 a year.
These hidden subscription scams are rampant, often luring people with enticing deals and concealing unfavorable terms. To avoid such scams, do your research and opt for reputable sources when making online purchases.
Conclusion
These scams exploit people’s nostalgia for old gaming systems with persuasive social media ads promoting incredible deals like a $4.99 Retro Gaming Console. However, these websites are completely fake, taking your money and delivering nothing that matches the promised product. Always stay alert with the fake and scammy ads and be updated with the original brands to distinguish the fake and original products.
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FAQs of $4.99 Retro Gaming Console Scam
What is the $4.99 Retro Gaming Console Scam?
The scam starts with the promotion of a $4.99 Retro Gaming Console on various social media networking sites with eye-catching ads to attract the people who click on the ads and finally make a purchase.
How does the $4.99 Retro Gaming Console Scam work?
The scam starts with beautiful deceptive ads to promote the $4.99 Retro Gaming Console Scam. When people click on the ads, they are sent to the website, which looks legitimate but is not. People are required to fill in the basic details to make a purchase which includes information like name, shipping address, and payment details.
Is there any original website selling a $4.99 Retro Gaming Console?
No, there is no official website promoting and selling the Retro Gaming Console. People only end up with fake websites pretending to be legitimate but in reality, it is not. The website uses some real information to make people believe that the site is actually from the company such details are Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, Refund Policy, Disclaimer, About us, and Contact Us.
What If I pay $4.99 for a Retro Gaming Console?
Once people make payment for Retro Gaming Console, they will receive a confirmation of the order placed but the real fact is that people will never receive any $4.99 Retro Gaming Console. Meanwhile, people will be charged unknowingly for the monthly subscription to the Retro Gaming Console.
How can I get a refund?
Instantly, get in touch with your bank or the company that issued your credit card to identify the charges you didn’t authorize. Give them any emails or screenshots you have as proof of the scam. Also, make sure to cancel any monthly subscriptions linked to your card from the fraudulent sellers. Sadly, it’s often hard to reach or hold the scammers responsible.
How to identify fake scam ads?
The fake and scammy ads are generally run by the new accounts having a few followers. Scammers always create a sense of urgency and falsely claim that the deal is running out. If people look closely at their websites, people find a few negative points such as generic photos and no genuine contact details.
What action people should take if they come across the $4.99 Retro Gaming Console Scam?
If people spot a scam ad, report it right away to the misused social media platform, whether it is Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or any other social networking site. Check the registration details of suspicious websites and file complaints to have them removed. Stay alert for red flags in advertised deals and scrutinize websites thoroughly to steer clear of the $4.99 Retro Gaming Console Scam.
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