Unilever warns against OMO sms scam
Criminals are using the OMO brand to take money from hard-working South Africans, including pensioners.
Leading consumer goods giant Unilever has urged consumers to beware of a hoax OMO competition that has come to the company’s attention.
The scam involves consumers receiving an sms or e-mail with a notification that they have won a specified sum of money from OMO washing powder.
Consumers are prompted to claim their prize using the reference and contact numbers provided.
To redeem their winnings, consumers are requested to furnish their banking details and to deposit monies into an account that will secure their prize.
“Our call center has been inundated with calls from victims of the scam, consumers are urged to be vigilant at all times and are encouraged not to act on receipt of such smses,” said Unilever SA’s Marketing Director for Laundry, Shaadia Vawda.
“Unilever takes such scams seriously and thorough investigations are being conducted to ensure that perpetrators face the full might of the law.
We will never request consumers to deposit money after winning a competition or require a winner to send banking details via sms.”
She said that in the case of any competitions run by Unilever, all winners will be contacted by Unilever representatives individually and winners will not be expected to pay any administration or transactional fees. OMO has given away prizes over the years to the value of more than R20 million without ever asking for money in return for a prize.
Criminals are using the OMO brand to take money from hard-working South Africans, including pensioners, so Unilever strongly advises consumers to spread the word to friends and family.
The best way to stop the problem is for more people to be aware and vigilant.
Consumers are advised that all competitions and promotions by Unilever will always be advertised through appropriate print, media and online channels intended to engage consumers on issues that matter to them.
“Consumers are at the very heart of our business and we will do everything in our power to protect them and safeguard their interests,” said Vawda.
I just received a message saying I won R499 000 and must contact Jim Johnson 0836693147. Hope this helps.
Just received a sms from – 0794132265 and it says – GREAT PRIZE YOU HAVE WON r450 000 FROM OMO WASHING POWDER TICKET NO (WW.AY) CALL 0723507119 FOR YOUR CLAIM AND ACTIVATION
Just received a sms from – 0791776999 and it says – Your sim card has won R450 000 FROM OMO WASHING POWDER PROMO, TICKET NO (OMO11)to be activated, CALL Claim Ageent 0848527315
You have won R250.000 from OMO WASHING POWDER promo, Ref Bi (016SA) CALL 081 898 7746 for claim and make sure your Ref No is activated
just got an sms saying congrads your number R295 000 in cash on the OMO washing powder promo ref OMRSA to claim contact Mrs Thandile it started with a nokia global challenge now its OMO these people just never give up
Got a scam email that i won R450 000 and an ipad in omo promo SA33. Nxa crooks
HI – I THINK THAT COMPANIES SHOULD LET USE ADVERTISING BOARDS AT THE STORES(CHECKERS/PICK N PAY / GAME / MACRO / SPAR ,,,,AND OTHER STORES TO ALERT THE CONSUMERS OF SUCH SCAMS.BESIDES WINNERS SHOULD BE CONTACTED BY PHONE CALL AND CONFIRMATION TO BE COLLECTED AT THE ABOVE STORES.
sms recved : GOODLUCK!!YOUR SIM CARD NO HAS WON YOU R250,00 00 FROM OMO WASHING POWDER PROMO,TICKET NO(M89W)FOR YOUR CLAIM AND ACTIVATION CALL(0735199102)From:+27791825552 14/04/22 20:18
sms recved : GOODLUCK!!YOUR SIM CARD NO HAS WON YOU R250,00 00 FROM OMO WASHING POWDER PROMO,TICKET NO(M89W)FOR YOUR CLAIM AND ACTIVATION CALL(0735199102)From:+27791825552 14/04/22 20:18
Just got this sms “Great prize!!! You have awarded with R250,000.00 from (OMO washing powder promo) with Ref No:OMP1902. Contact OMO Help-Line on 0725534235 to claim your prize.” I hope these scammers get caught.
Congratulations your mobile number has won R195,000 in OMO washing powder promo with Ref no;12SA.Contact Mr.Desmond joe on 0734368793 to claim your prize.Is the message from you.My number is 0734494333.
People must be at all times vigilant, there is a number of scams out there, to loot you of your money and some with the aim to steal your identity and residential particulars. Do not respond to these scam sms’s, period!!!
On Monday 05/05/2014, I got an sms from phone number +27723522765, to tell me that I have been nominated in OMO Active Washing Powder and Won a prize of R185,000 for payouts contact WENDLE REF. SAOONKP 0736920408/0733672670
On Tuesday 13/05/2014 I received a sms “You have been nominated in OMO Active Washing Powder and Won a prize of R185,000.00 for payout contact WENDLE REF: SAOONKP 073 6920 408 / 073 3672 670
Got an SMS – ” Great Prize ! Your Rica SIM Has won R250 000 from Omo Washing Powder Promo – Call 079 220 2775 or 079 592 0449 for your claim”
I called the one Number from a Landline just to see – Damn Suspect Idiot anwered
Got an sms today 14/05/2014 “you have been nominated in OMO Active Washing Powder and Won a prize of R185,000.00 for payouts contact WENDLE REF: SAOONKP 073 6920 408/073 3672 670”. I called the number from a landline and a guy by the name of Patrick answered
I have just received this scam using your name:
from +27607930413 GREAT PRIZE YOUR HAVE WON R500,000 FROM ONO WASHING POWDER PROMO; TICKET NO:OM6621 FOR AN ACTIVATION TO CLAIM CALL MISS. M. CAROLINE ON 0749375052
surely with these cell phone number you are able to trace the scamsters and prosecute them? It is disgusting.
hi
i have just received a sms : congratulations
: your sim number have won you R550.000 from OMO yearly promotion held in UK REF NO AS2014.
Contact MR KEN ON 0719477231 FOR YOUR PRIZE.
SMS RECEIVED FROM CELL NUMBER : 0725533539
BEWARE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I have just received a scam sms cut into my network messages (such as with bank code confirmations-not a normal sms).
I called Mr Ben, on 0742620896. I indicated that I was sceptical and he said “well, if you are not interested in your prize..”and slammed the phone down on me!
Why can this scam artist not be traced on his cell RICA?
This was supposed to be a yearly OMO promo prize.
Why are they targetting OMO for their scam?
The send no is +27607481775. Can anyone use this info and get these scoundrels?
Hi igot sms said GREAT PRIZE.YOU HAS WON R350 000 FROM OMO WASHING POWDER PROMOTION REF NO GBC01 FOR CLAIM CALL MISS QUEEN 0832492963 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITEWWW.OMO.CO.ZA
Evening
Surely you should be able to track these Omo scam criminals quite easily. I received a SMS from Lindiwe on number 0810547321.
Through Unilever investigating and taking it further surely these criminals can be taken to book!!!
It would be great if Unilever does something instead of just posting the comments!!
Omo is only soap my favouriter. if can wash the sheat is gonna be clean and smell nice that soap.
HI JUST RECIEVED SMS WON 5000000 IN OMO COMP.PHONE 0724505309 CONTACT DR JIM WHITE. DID REPLY SCAM.
Hi, received sms last night at 10h00pm informing me I’ve won R300,000 and Polo Vivo claim @ 084 0604237 message from 0739926973.
I just received one of sms’s that says the something that I won an an amount of R150 000, from the man that calls himself Mr Peterson, the no is as follows: 073 693 5014, he says for me to claim this money I must go buy Atime of R55 so that he can activate on their data system, but now I’m worried I gave my home address since I said i want my money to be sent by cheque no bank transactions.
Good South Africans please let’s be more careful, I spoke with this man over the phone his accent his not South African.
Received SMS today 6 June at 1:17, from Mark at 0840722766. Called him, he wants name and address to give to bank to forward payment??
Received a SMS for R250 000. Telephone number the SMS is sent from is 078 437 4201. Contact name is Morgan. Hope this information can help you track them and bring them to justice.
Received an sms saying I’ve won 295.000 from thin number 0835180258 and they said I must contact 0786929053 to claim my prize….now that I called them an gave them my cell numbers…my province and asked my name….what’s gonna happen?.I just think of it now that it’s a scam…cos they didn’t call back n u tried calling them back but then I got no answer
I too have been asked to send through an SMS an MTN airtime costing R180.00 for my account to be opened. I was told that my cellphone won R450,000.00, and I am told to deposit R2,600.00 for my agent to finalise transfer of the money into my account.(27735787285 & 27765654768 & 2782264) are the numbers giving me these instructions. I hope you get hold of these people
“ Received SMS today 24 June at 1:17, from Mark at 0840722766. Called him, he wants name and address to give to bank to forward payment?? ” omo washing powder sent from 0815424229
I received an sms from 0834831044 indicating omo washing powder have rewarded you three hundred thousand rand and a polo vivo please contact claim line @ 0840604237 for your claim. I called the number andwas asked to sms my full names, id and contact number and the admin component will contact me.
received sms 11/07/2014 02.20 +27718838484 to call mrs sonia owen on tel no: 0730788695 to claim a prize .i knew this is a scam so people out there beware
My son received an sms he won 29ellphones n laptop
Yesterday i also received an sms saying ive won a nokia lumia,washng machne,and a sum of 250000 wen i kol a man answered and told me to forward my personal details.legal action must be taken upon these skeletons
Recieved an sms on Omo Washing Powder have rewarded you with R150 000 from Omo, contact Isaac on 081 3265448 for your claim and activation
Recieved an SMS stating that I have won R500 000 from OMO and to contact Mrs. Sonia Owen on 0730788695 to claim the prize.
Received sms from 0835583203 Mrs P.Booi stating that I just won R250 000 on the Omo promotional competition even got the number to phone their head office a Mr Johnson on 0110753915. The no. the sms came from is 0738475598 to my cell no. which I do not know where they got it from.
Greetings my mom just got the very same message from 0604478902 that she just won R275 000 on the Omo promotional competition with the reference number SA07# and that she should contact Mrs Lydia E On 0848705629,please do find these skelems,basile laba
i recive this sms now i dont know how to do it
Omo washing power rewarded you five hundred thousand rands from omo,please contact on 0747218822
This is stupid because some people need the money. Some already have planned for that money this must STOP.
SMS from 0781211343 says OMO Washing Powder has awarded you Four hundred and seventy five thousand rands ref no. SA08#. kindly contact Mrs Lydia E. on 0848705629 for your claim.
SAPS should track all these numbers
Just received sms from 0832458121 ” You have won R250 000, call 0731988481 and speak to Mrs Mayda” Big scam
Esh they are lot of crime in south africa
I just got sms now saying I have won R200 000 from Omo washing poweder, my Ref NO is P19SA, and I should call Mr Edward at +27739040112 and sms is from this nomber: +27731707064. When will this stop, Hai we sick nd tired of this scams.