As the European Championship kicks off, millions of viewers are flocking to their screens and football stadiums. However, cybercriminals are exploiting this event to launch various scams aimed at stealing users’ data and money. Kaspersky experts have identified several UEFA 2024-related scams.
Fake Tickets
Ticket fraud remains a common threat for major events. Kaspersky experts discovered a fraudulent page posing as a popular German energy company, offering free EURO 2024 tickets. Victims are prompted to fill out a form with their personal information. This targeted campaign aims to infiltrate the infrastructure of the victim company’s employees and partners.
Fake Streams
Online viewers should also be cautious of fake streaming platforms promising exclusive event coverage at low prices. These sites not only leak payment and personal data but may also contain XSS vulnerabilities, allowing attackers to control users’ browsers.
Fake Merchandise Stores
Fraudulent online stores selling discounted fan paraphernalia have also been detected. Buyers lured by these offers never receive the items.
Crypto Fraud
Scammers are capitalizing on EURO 2024’s popularity by selling customized coins featuring popular players, promising high returns. For instance, Kaspersky experts found a scheme involving coins named after Harry Kane, promoted via email and social media. Eager traders buy these coins, driving up their price, only for scammers to sell their holdings, causing the coin’s value to crash.
Kaspersky’s Olga Svistunova warns, “These schemes around major events follow a familiar pattern fraudsters adapt and find new ways to profit. For example, our recent discovery of cryptocurrency scams tied to popular players shows their ability to exploit emerging opportunities.”
Tips to Stay Safe from Scams
- Verify Authenticity: Purchase tickets, merchandise, or services from official and reputable sources. Check the event’s official website for authorized sellers.
- Be Skeptical of Deals: If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be cautious of deep discounts and exclusive deals 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. For example, Kaspersky Premium protects users from phishing and scams.
- Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common scam tactics and how to recognize them. Follow updates from cybersecurity experts and official sources.
