Scam artists have exploited the death of Steve Jobs, using promises of 500 free iPads to lure Facebook and Twitter users to click links that direct them to Web sites unrelated to the fake promotion.

"In memory of Steve, a company is giving out 50 ipads tonight. R.I.P. Steve Jobs" the scam says. The accompanying link will require users to put in their name and personal information like address and contact details. Other times it would be directed to a new site. The Web sites detect which country the customer is coming from uses his own native language.

Sophos has reported on the fraudulent activity and has since asked bit.ly to take down the link. By the time Sophos released a blog post about it, the scam has already received 15,000 clicks. It has asked other users to be careful on links they click and said the best way to honor the founder is to visit the official Apple site.

There are many hints on spotting a scam involving free Apple devices aside from sticking to well known reputable organizations. Apple has strict guidelines involving promotion using their devices. Mostly, they don't like their products being used in promotions or contests.

The guidelines set out by Apple on promotions that the scam violated is listed as follows:

  • iPod Touch is only allowed to be used in special circumstances and requires a minimum purchase of 250 units. iPad, iPhone and the iPhone Gift Card may not be used in third-party promotions.
  • The use of "free" as a modifier in any Apple product reference in a prominent manner (headlines, callouts, etc.) is prohibited.
  • You must submit all marketing materials related to the promotion of Apple products to Apple for review.
  • You may NOT use Apple products or photographs thereof in any manner that falsely suggests an association with Apple or is likely to reduce, diminish or damage the goodwill, value or reputation associated with Apple products or Apple, itself.
  • You may NOT use the Myriad Set font on or in connection with web sites, products, packaging, manuals, or promotional/advertising materials.
  • Please include the following statement at the end of Apple legal language: "Apple is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion."

Given the many violations of Apple's guidelines the scam made and the difficulty of enforcing them if many people violated them at once, there is one other thing that people must remember about Apple product. Apple devices are the upper-tier luxury items in the tech world. There is no way that someone will give iPads away since Apple wants it to stay that way. Most of all, if things are too good to be true, most likely they are.

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