by MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – FRAUDSTERS are making the most of the rush by the public to purchase the eagerly-anticipated iPhone 17 devices.
As Apple opened for the new iPhone, Kaspersky said it had detected a spike in scam exploiting the device’s launch hype, with fraudsters deploying fake websites, bogus lotteries and phony “tester” recruitment schemes to harvest personal data and financial information.
These attacks pose significant risks including personal data theft and financial loss.
One of the scams involves counterfeit websites which mimic Apple’s official store, luring users with preorders for the iPhone 17 “before it sells out”, only to capture bank card details upon checkout.
Scammers are also running fraudulent lotteries promising free iPhone devices as prizes, requiring participants to pass a survey, submit personal information and pay a delivery or service fee. There is also a fake feedback pane with users claiming to have received their “prizes”.
Additionally, fraudsters are advertising “tester” opportunities for the iPhone 17, enticing tech-savvy users to provide contact details and shipping addresses, as well as pay a fee for delivery in exchange for supposedly early access units, which are never delivered and result in spam overload or targeted phishing follow-ups.
Tatyana Shcherbakova, Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky, said cyber criminals thrive on the excitement of major product launches, turning consumer enthusiasm into a gateway for data breaches.
“We’ve seen these tactics evolve from crude phishing to highly polished sites that can look authentic. Users must prioritise verification over impulse to stay safe and avoid falling victim to these opportunistic threats.”
Kaspersky has urged buyers to purchase exclusively from official sources, avoid unsolicited offers and never share personal data.
The new iPhone will be available from Friday.
– CAJ News