Millions of football fans around the world are gearing up for the World Cup, and cybercriminals are seizing the moment to exploit the heightened interest. Experts at Kaspersky have uncovered various types of scams that mimic official tournament resources or leverage the event for unsafe purposes, putting users’ data and finances at significant risk.
In some cases, users are targeted with scam emails claiming they have “won” a $500,000 grant to cover tickets, flights, and accommodation, followed by instructions to contact the sender to claim the “prize” funds. Kaspersky also reports email spam and unsolicited ads related to the sale of competition-themed merchandise and souvenirs; some of them might turn out to be a scam.
“Unfortunately, major sporting events that attract large audiences are never overlooked by scammers. Seemingly harmless or even appealing emails can often conceal not only dangerous links and malicious attachments. In some cases, careless interaction with such messages can lead to serious device infections. We recommend that users ignore any suspicious emails and websites to protect their financial assets and keep their devices and personal data secure,” says Anna Lazaricheva, senior spam analyst at Kaspersky.
To avoid falling victim to scams or phishing, Kaspersky advises users to:
- Check the authenticity of websites before entering personal data and only use official webpages. Double-check URL formats and organisations name spellings.
- Always choose official and reputable streaming platforms to protect your personal data from theft and misuse.
- Use a reliable security solution that identifies malicious attachments and blocks phishing links.
- Enable multi-factor authentication and monitor accounts: Activate 2FA on IDs and financial apps, and regularly review statements for unauthorised activity
- Do not trust any links or attachments received by mail; double-check the sender before opening anything.
- Double-check e-shop websites before filling out any information: is the URL correct? Are there any spelling errors or design bugs?
