Samsung Omnia Promo: Marketing or Just Plain Phishing?
Posted on : 08-10-2009 | By : wyrlo | In : Technology
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Biomekanika gave me this samsung website where it showcases their new smart phone – Samsung Omnia. As what the site says, you can win the phone by just playing the game. The game is like the “Typing Maniac” app from facebook where you type the words as it falls down the screen. To qualify for the promo, you will need to register first. Provide your e-mail address and other information.
Now, here’s what the site got my “doubt-radar” got a blimp. The promo, I think, is a scam wherein they could use the information when you registered. Here are some of the things that I noticed:
- You can not beat the highest score. On the right side of the website shows a list of “top 15″. They are what you call the fastest typer in the world. As you can see at the screenshot above, they achieved 400,000+ points! Amazing isn’t it?! The reason? Read the next item.
- The speed of the words falling down is not humanly possible. Even if you’re still in level 3-5, the speed of the words falling is fast. In these levels you’re still at around 60-80,000 points. Why not try level 10, you say?! Well, imagine watching the words falling just like in matrix movie.
- There is no validation when you register. If this promo is real, there should be some sort of validation of any kind when you register. I tried to register bogus information and still the site accepts it.
- There is no link that goes to Samsung’s website. I wonder why there is no any link in this site that will connect to the Samsung main website or to the omnia phone web page? If they are committed to this, shouldn’t they put some sort of links to Samsung’s main website?
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) NCR Permit does not belong to Samsung. Notice the DTI permit number (2705) located on the lower right of the page? Well, I checked the permit number in DTI and guess what? IT IS ALREADY EXPIRED AND DOES NOT BELONG TO SAMSUNG. It belongs to a certain TIME LIFE INTERNATIONAL (PHILS.), INC and the promo name?! TIME HSBC SOLO MAIL!
Is this there marketing strategy or just plain phishing?
UPDATE:
I tried to search who owns the Samsungomnia.com.ph domain through whois search. The domain is owned by Havoc Digital, Inc. The same company who created Manny Villar’s Akala Mo Website.
