The Paris 2024 Olympics are just days away, with the opening ceremony kicking off on July 26th and the games running until August 11th.
This marks the first in-person Summer Olympics since the pandemic restrictions were lifted, as expected, the energy is different.
However, amidst the excitement, cybersecurity firm, Kaspersky, warns that fraudsters are targeting fans with scams designed to steal their money and personal information.
Kaspersky has released the main phishing schemes currently in use by these fraudsters. One prevalent tactic involves fake tickets. Here, fraudsters create phishing websites that appear legitimate, offering tickets for Olympic competitions at exclusive prices or for events that are supposedly sold out.
Kaspersky.
The cybersecurity company says that fans who enter their personal information and payment details on these sites “may receive invalid tickets or, more likely, nothing at all, leading to financial loss and their data being sold on Dark Web forums.”
Navigating the Paris 2024 Olympics online scams
Paris is no stranger to the Olympics, having previously held the summer games in both 1900 and 1924. This upcoming event marks a historic moment for the City of Lights, as it becomes only the second city (after London) to host the Olympics three times in the modern era.
Kaspersky has released the main phishing schemes currently in use by these fraudsters. One prevalent tactic involves fake tickets. Here, fraudsters create phishing websites that appear legitimate, offering tickets for Olympic competitions at exclusive prices or for events that are supposedly sold out.
The cybersecurity company says that fans who enter their personal information and payment details on these sites “may receive invalid tickets or, more likely, nothing at all, leading to financial loss and their data being sold on Dark Web forums.”
Another scheme involves fake corporate giveaways. These pages might appear to be from a French bank, for example, falsely promising a chance to win tickets in exchange for personal details, including login credentials and passwords. If someone falls victim to this scam, fraudsters can “ infiltrate victims’ corporate resources and potentially spread malicious content further.”
Kaspersky also warns fans to be wary of fake online merchandise stores. These stores advertise Olympic-themed clothing, accessories, and other items, but unsuspecting customers who place orders never receive their purchases.
A more recent tactic involves phishing websites offering free mobile data packages. These tricky sites lure users into providing personal information, such as phone numbers and payment details, under the guise of activating the data plan. Once this information is harvested, it can be used for malicious purposes, leading to financial losses and privacy breaches.
“During major events like the Olympics, the sheer volume of offers can be overwhelming and deceptive,” Anton Yatsenko, security expert at Kaspersky says.
“Scammers prey on the excitement and urgency people feel, making it crucial to approach every offer with a healthy dose of scepticism. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Take the time to verify the authenticity of offers and protect your personal information. Your vigilance can be the difference between enjoying the event and falling victim to a scam.”
To protect themselves from these scams, Kaspersky offers the underlisted advice:
- “Verify authenticity: Only purchase tickets, merchandise, or services from official and reputable sources. Check the event’s official website for authorised sellers.
- Be sceptical of deals: Be cautious of deep discounts and exclusive deals, especially if they come from unknown sources.
- Secure your data: Avoid sharing personal and financial information on unfamiliar websites. Ensure the website is secure by looking for “https” in the URL and a padlock symbol in the browser bar.
- Use security software: Keep your antivirus and security software up to date to protect against malware and phishing attacks. Kaspersky protects its users from all types of phishing and scams.
- Educate yourself: Stay informed about common scam tactics and how to recognise them. Follow updates from cybersecurity experts and official sources.”
Home