That $80 Drink Coupon Going Viral? It's a Scam—Here's How to Spot It

Lisa Bakker · 2026-09-24

You've probably seen it pop up on Threads or LINE: a flashy offer for an $80 drink voucher from popular bubble tea chains. It looks legit, sounds amazing, and your friends are sharing it. But hold on—it's a trap. Scammers are impersonating well-known brands like 50 Lan, Guiji, and others to steal your LINE account and personal info. In this post, we'll break down how the scam works, what to watch out for, and how to protect yourself. No jargon, just straight talk. ### How the Scam Works It usually starts with a post on social media, often Threads or LINE groups. The post claims you can get an $80 coupon for your favorite hand-shaken drink. All you have to do is click a link and add a LINE account as a friend. Sounds simple, right? That's the hook. Once you add the account, you're asked to provide your phone number and a verification code. That's when things go south. The scammers use that code to hijack your LINE account, locking you out and potentially accessing your contacts and chats. Some victims even had their accounts used to spread the scam further. > "I almost fell for it because it looked so real. The logo, the wording—everything seemed official," said one netizen who narrowly avoided the scam. The scammers are clever. They use official-looking logos and mimic the tone of real promotions. But the red flags are there if you know where to look. ### Red Flags to Watch For - **Too good to be true**: An $80 coupon for a drink that usually costs a few bucks? That's a huge red flag. - **Urgency**: "Only 100 coupons left!" or "Offer ends today!" Scammers want you to act fast without thinking. - **Requests for personal info**: Legit brands won't ask for your LINE verification code. Ever. - **Unofficial links**: Check the URL. If it's not the brand's official website or social media page, be suspicious. - **Poor grammar or weird formatting**: Many scams have typos or awkward phrasing. ### What the Brands Say Several bubble tea chains have issued warnings about these fake coupons. They've made it clear: they are not affiliated with these promotions. Some have even reported the scam accounts to LINE and local authorities. So if you see a coupon from 50 Lan or Guiji being shared, don't trust it unless it's from their official channels. ### How to Protect Yourself 1. **Never share your verification code**: That code is the key to your account. Treat it like your password. 2. **Verify before you act**: If a deal seems too good, check the brand's official social media or website. A quick search can save you a lot of trouble. 3. **Use two-factor authentication**: Enable 2FA on your LINE account for an extra layer of security. 4. **Report and block**: If you spot a scam, report it to the platform and block the account. Warn your friends, too. 5. **Stick to official sources**: Only trust coupons and promotions from the brand's official channels. ### The Bottom Line Scammers are getting smarter, but you can outsmart them. Stay skeptical, verify everything, and never give out personal info for a too-good-to-be-true offer. Remember, if it feels off, it probably is. Share this with your friends and family—especially those who love a good bubble tea deal. A little caution goes a long way. Stay safe out there, and enjoy your drinks—just make sure the coupon is real.