As excitement builds for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, scammers are gearing up to take advantage of eager fans. Whether you are tuning in from abroad or attending the event in person, cyber gangs are on the lookout for unsuspecting supporters to exploit for financial gain.
One expert at cyber security company Check Point Software has issued a stark warning for Olympic Sports fans to be on the lookout for the following scams:
- Ticket Scams:
Olympic ticket scams are on the rise, with fraudsters tricking people into buying fake or non-existent tickets. These cunning criminals set up websites that look just like the real thing, send convincing phishing emails pretending to be from official Olympic bodies, and are even using social media to advertise bogus tickets. Some crooks are even selling these tickets on secondary market platforms or through classified ads.
Muhammad Yahya Patel, Lead Security Engineer at Check Point said: “Unfortunately, fans who fall for these tricks often end up with worthless tickets, losing their hard-earned cash and facing disappointment when they’re turned away at the gates.”
- Fake Online Streaming Services:
When it comes to watching your favourite event online, take extra care when selecting a streaming service. There are many dangerous websites lurking on the internet pretending to offer official channels to watch live events.
Muhammad added: “These websites will request you hit the “register” button and as soon as you do you will need to enter sensitive information, such as your email, credit/debit card number, expiration date and CVC code. Once they have this information, scammers could drain your bank account in an instant. The other risk is that by clicking on a link, you inadvertently download malicious malware that could track your activities such as keystrokes giving away credentials to other online services.”
- Fraudulent Mobile Apps:
This year, the official Paris Olympics app will be the go-to resource for fans to keep up to date with live games and results. Unfortunately, cybercriminals could see this as another way to take advantage by creating lookalike malicious apps.
Muhammad said: “Phones and tablets continue to be overlooked in terms of security best practice. Thousands of malicious programmes are downloaded every year from legitimate app stores because there’s not enough vetting or they simply go unnoticed. Fans need to be make sure they only download and interact with the official app by running safety checks and looking out for red flags in the app description.”
- Travel Scams:
While many fans will be planning their dream trip to Paris, scammers will be looking to defraud them through fake or impersonated companies pretending to offer accommodation and travel packages.
Muhammad said: “These scams do not just steal your money and dash your Olympic dreams; they have the potential to leave you stranded in a foreign city with booked out hotels and hostels. Always check you are booking services through an official provider and don’t fall for any cheap deals that look too good to be true.”
- Merchandise Fraud:
Scammers are benefiting from the demand for Olympic merchandise by selling counterfeit goods. These fraudsters create websites that mimic official Olympic stores, offering discount items below the retail price. Fans who purchase from these sites often receive substandard or entirely fake merchandise, or worse, nothing at all.
- Olympic Giveaway Scams:
Be wary of social media posts or emails claiming that you've won tickets, merchandise, or exclusive access to Olympic events through a giveaway.
Muhammad added: “Scammers use these fake giveaways to lure victims into providing personal information or paying a "processing fee" to claim their prize. These often look legitimate, using Olympic logos and themes, but they are designed to steal your personal information or money.”
Final takeaway to stay safe:
Muhammad had this final tip for fans: "To stay safe from scams during the Olympics, remember these top tips. Purchase tickets from the official Olympic website or authorised sellers, verify streaming services by using only official broadcasters, and avoid fraudulent betting sites by sticking to licensed platforms. Book travel and accommodation through reputable agencies, buy merchandise from official stores, and be sceptical of giveaways—always verify their legitimacy through official channels."
