In my limited experience with the site, Groupon appears to use fake images of discounts coupled with the region's name in their web ads and web site in order to

In my limited experience with the site, Groupon appears to use fake images of discounts coupled with the region's name in their web ads and web site in order to entice new users, not letting the users know that no discounts for the advertised area actually exist until after they sign up. If this is an old practice, this may factor into their "secret of success", as well.