Cyber crooks target iPhone enthusiasts

by MTHULISI SIBANDA 
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – SCAMMERS are capitalising on the hype surrounding the new iPhone 18 series.

Kaspersky, a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company, reports its experts have identified fake websites promoting non-existent offers designed to deceive users seeking the new devices.

These scam sites have been discovered in multiple languages, including English, Arabic, Portuguese and others.

One of the identified websites offers users the opportunity to “purchase” new devices, complete with technical specifications and a 25-percent discount.

Among the available payment methods, customers are also encouraged to pay in Bitcoin. Its deceptively credible interface is designed to lower users’ guard, prompt them to enter personal information and transfer funds – but in reality, the only thing buyers might receive is financial loss.

Another fake website invites users to pre-order iPhone 18 Pro devices in a variety of colours, including some that differ from those officially announced by the company at launch, and to select their preferred storage capacity.

To make the offer even more enticing, the site claims that customers do not need to pay the full amount upfront and can supposedly settle the remaining balance later.

In addition, the “seller” promises a full refund if the purchase is cancelled – a claim that should not be trusted.

“We have seen scam offers emerge around high-profile device launches for years,” Olga Altukhova, Senior Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky, said.

“Consumer excitement can give cybercriminals an additional advantage and improve their chances of profiting,” the official said.

Kaspersky has advised users to be cautious when choosing where to shop and to make purchases only through official and trusted retailers.

“Offers that seem too good to be true, as well as product selections that are broader than or differ from those officially announced by the company, should be treated as clear warning signs.”

Apple has officially split its smartphone release cycle, launching the premium iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the company’s first-ever foldable, the iPhone Duo, on September 18.

– CAJ News