Fake Food Deals and Giveaway Scams: How to Spot Them
Last updated: 27 September 2026.
Quick answer: Be suspicious of food deals that look too good to be true, come from unverified pages or WhatsApp forwards, ask you to pay in advance to a personal account, or ask for OTP codes and card details. Only order through official brand apps, websites, verified pages or trusted delivery apps.
As food delivery and online ordering have grown in Pakistan, so have scams. Fraudsters create fake restaurant pages, fake giveaway posts (“free pizza for everyone who shares this”) and fake delivery calls to steal money or personal information. Big launches, like AlBaik’s expected Pakistan opening, and festivals like Ramadan and Eid are prime times for these scams. Here is how to protect yourself and your family.
Common food scams
| Scam | How it works | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Fake restaurant page | Copies a real brand’s logo and photos, takes orders and advance payment, never delivers | New page, few genuine reviews, asks for bank transfer to a personal account |
| Giveaway scam | “Share and comment to win a free meal”, then asks for card details or a “delivery fee” | Requests for payment or OTP to claim a prize |
| Fake voucher link | WhatsApp link offering vouchers that leads to a fake login page | Strange web address, spelling mistakes |
| OTP call | Caller pretends to be a rider or app support and asks for the OTP | Any request for an OTP or PIN |
| Fake launch pre-orders | Pages taking “pre-orders” for a brand not yet open | No official announcement from the brand |
The golden rules
- Never share OTP codes or PINs with anyone, including people claiming to be riders, bank staff or app support.
- Order only through official channels: brand apps and websites, verified social media pages and trusted delivery apps.
- Be wary of prices far below normal. Big brands rarely give away meals for free.
- Don’t pay in advance to personal accounts or mobile wallets for food from unknown pages.
- Check for verification badges and the page’s history and genuine reviews.
Special warning: AlBaik pre-orders
AlBaik has not opened in Pakistan as of 27 September 2026. Any page taking AlBaik orders, pre-orders, franchise payments or job fees is not an official AlBaik channel unless AlBaik or its partner has announced it. Follow our launch page for verified updates, and read AlBaik jobs and scam warnings and AlBaik franchise information.
How to check if a page is real
- Search for the brand’s official website and find the social media links from there.
- Look for verification badges on social media.
- Check how long the page has existed and whether posts look professional and consistent.
- Read comments; complaints about non-delivery are a red flag.
- Call the brand’s official helpline listed on its website to confirm.
If you have been scammed
- Stop all communication and don’t send more money.
- Contact your bank immediately to block cards or dispute transactions.
- Change passwords if you entered them on a suspicious site.
- Keep screenshots of the page, messages and payment receipts.
- Report online fraud to the FIA Cyber Crime Wing.
- Report the fake page to the social media platform.
- Warn friends and family.
Protecting elderly relatives and children
Older family members and children may be less familiar with online scams. Explain the OTP rule clearly, set up family group chats to double-check suspicious offers, and encourage them to ask before paying for anything online.
Spotting fake websites
- Check the web address carefully; scammers use names very close to the real brand.
- Look for spelling and grammar mistakes and low-quality images.
- Be suspicious if the only payment option is bank transfer to an individual.
- Real brand websites usually have clear contact details, a physical address and policies.
- When in doubt, open the brand’s website by typing the address yourself rather than clicking links.
Fake delivery calls
A common trick is a call from someone claiming to be a rider or app support, saying there is a problem with your order and asking for a code sent to your phone. That code is often an OTP that gives them access to your account or bank. Genuine riders and apps never need your OTP. Hang up and check your order in the official app.
Fake reviews and ratings
Some fake pages post fake reviews or buy followers to look trustworthy. Look for detailed reviews from real-looking profiles over a long period, not dozens of short five-star comments posted on the same day.
Teaching the family
- Never share OTPs, PINs or passwords.
- Only order from official apps and pages.
- If it sounds too good to be true, ask someone first.
- Report suspicious messages rather than forwarding them.
Why scammers target food
Food is an everyday purchase, orders are often small, and people act quickly when hungry or excited about a deal. That makes food an easy hook for fraud. The amounts may seem small, but stolen card details or account access can lead to much bigger losses. Staying alert protects more than just your next meal.
Our commitment
On AlbaikMenu.pk, we only link to official brand sources and verified deals, with the date we checked them. If you see a suspicious page using the AlBaik name or claiming to sell food on our behalf, please tell us. We never sell food or take payments.
Quick summary
Official channels only, no OTP sharing, no advance payments to personal accounts, and a healthy dose of suspicion for anything that looks too good to be true.
Stay alert, stay safe, and share this guide with your family.
Frequently asked questions
Is a free meal giveaway on social media real?
Some genuine brand giveaways exist, but they never ask for card details, OTPs or payments. Check the page is official.
Can a delivery rider ask for my OTP?
No. Never share OTPs with anyone.
How do I report a fake food page?
Report it to the platform, warn others, and contact the FIA Cyber Crime Wing if you lost money.
Is AlBaik taking orders in Pakistan?
Not as of 27 September 2026. Any such page is not official.