The phrase describes a specific type of unsolicited digital communication designed to deceive recipients into believing they have won a substantial gift card from a major retailer. These messages typically arrive via Short Message Service (SMS) and leverage the well-known brand to entice individuals to click a link or provide personal information. An example would be a text stating, “Congratulations! You’ve won a $1000 gift card! Claim it now at [suspicious link].”
This type of scam is prevalent due to its potential to harvest sensitive data or install malware on victims’ devices. Its effectiveness stems from the perceived value of the reward and the sense of urgency created by the message. Historically, similar schemes have existed in various forms, including email and postal mail, adapting to new communication technologies to reach a wider audience.
