After a simple click, Internet users find themselves on a page seemingly linked to Procter & Gamble – which notably owns the brands Pampers, Crest, Tide and Gillette. However, the domain name of this page is “ciaopizzaco.com”.
“Answer a few questions and receive a unique gift: a surprise box!” we read on this site, where it is specified that this box is offered free of charge. “You only pay C$3.00 for delivery!”
This advertisement from the “Jean Coutu Canada” Facebook page is in no way linked to the real Jean Coutu banner. (Facebook)
After three quick questions, a page adorned with nine gift boxes bearing the Procter & Gamble logo appears. Users are advised to use their three chances to get the reward. In each of our attempts, the “win” was obtained on the third and final chance.
Then comes the time to enter your personal information and choose a delivery method to obtain the famous box which supposedly contains $214 worth of Procter & Gamble products.
We then land on another page where it is indicated that we must pay US$3 for an order of “SG Item”. This is where Internet users are asked to provide their credit card number.
The page, which shows the Procter & Gamble logo, alleges that Internet users can obtain products worth $214 for free. (Screenshot)
A page managed from Ukraine
The ad launched Wednesday by the “Jean Coutu Canada” Facebook page, however, is not true. By digging a little on this page created in May 2024 under the name “Whisker Whimsy”, we learn that it is managed from Ukraine. Last fall, its name was changed to “Tiendas EFE”, before becoming “Jean Coutu Canada”, less than 10 days ago.
-The head of communications at Metro (owner of the Jean Coutu banner), Catherine Latendresse, confirmed to Coops de l’information that the company “is in no way linked to this page or this competition.”
“The page has already been reported to Meta. We invite customers to be vigilant and to write to us if in doubt. Our official page is verified and identified by a blue check mark. A publication is prominently displayed to make customers aware of fraudulent messages.”
— Catherine Latendresse, Metro
Thursday evening, the fake page still appeared on Facebook.
In addition to its blue hook, Jean Coutu’s real Facebook page has no less than 200,000 subscribers. A post pinned there warns Internet users to “be careful of fraudulent messages,” while reminding them that the company never needs to obtain a credit card number when a person wins a contest.
The fake Jean Coutu Canada page, which uses the company logo and a photo of one of its branches, has only 1,200 subscribers. It gives the address of a real Montreal branch of Jean Coutu, but it indicates an email address ending with “@info.com”.
Procter & Gamble did not respond to our request for reaction on Thursday.
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