Roskachestvo Study Reveals Scammers Are Mimicking iPhone 17 Sales Websites
Experts at Roskachestvo`s Digital Expertise Center report a surge in cybercriminal activity coinciding with the anticipated launch of new Apple products. Dozens of fraudulent websites have been uncovered, meticulously mimicking popular electronics stores and offering pre-orders for the unreleased iPhone 17 at prices reaching up to 500,000 rubles.
“Users frequently encounter these sites through targeted advertising or spam messages sent via instant messengers,” researchers explain. Scammers meticulously replicate the design and logos of legitimate retail platforms, yet their domain names often contain subtle typos or character substitutions. To “reserve” the device, a partial upfront payment is required. As soon as the fraudsters accumulate a significant amount of money, the websites are deactivated, and users are blocked from contacting “technical support.”
According to information from Roskachestvo`s Digital Expertise Center, over two dozen such fraudulent websites have been identified in just the past week. Investigations revealed that the average down payment demanded ranges from 50,000 to 200,000 rubles, depending on the purported device configuration. Roskachestvo strongly advises making any purchases exclusively through official websites and to refrain from transferring funds to private individuals or accounts associated with microfinance organizations.
What to do if you`ve been scammed:
“If you have already fallen victim to these scams, it is crucial to immediately contact your bank to cancel or block the transaction, preserve all correspondence and payment details, and file an official report through the State Services portal,” emphasized Sergey Kuzmenko, head of Roskachestvo`s Digital Expertise Center.
