As Apple opened preorders for the new iPhone, Kaspersky detected a spike in scams 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 that 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.
A deceptive site posing as Apple’s official website
with a Book Now button leading to a financial data submission form.
Scammers are also running fraudulent lotteries promising free iPhone devices as prizes, requiring participants to pass a survey, submit personal information (email addresses, phone numbers, etc.), 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.
“Cybercriminals 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 prioritize verification over impulse to stay safe and avoid falling victim to these opportunistic threats,” comments Tatyana Shcherbakova, Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky.
