Bitdefender warns of rising scams targeting 2024 Paris Olympics

Bitdefender has identified various scams targeting the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which are set to impact both online and offline spectators.

These cybercriminal activities are specifically targeting Australians, along with residents of other countries, including France and the United States. According to recent findings, the scams mainly focus on stealing personal information and money, utilising tactics such as fake giveaways, lotteries, and sweepstakes.

These fraudulent activities were first spotted at the end of May. Bitdefender's research highlighted several common impersonated brands, including Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Google, and the World Bank. The fake lottery prize money typically ranges from AUD $833,000 to AUD $1,280,000, and the body of these scam messages often mimics typical email lottery scams, simply customised for the Olympic Games.

Bitdefender researchers have noted that the scams have targeted various countries, including the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Australia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Slovakia. In many instances, recipients are informed that their email addresses were part of a global lottery draw for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games. The scammers even provide fake reference numbers and list purportedly lucky numbers that were drawn in the fictitious lottery.

Common tactics employed by these scammers include instructing recipients to contact a so-called representative via email or phone and requiring additional personal information such as a full name, address, age, and phone number. Bitdefender advises that typical red flags to be aware of are typos and uncommon phrasing within these messages.

In Brazil, a different approach is being used with a scam impersonating financial service provider Visa. This scheme baits users with the chance to win tickets to the Olympic Games by entering their CPF number. A machine-translated version of one of these scam messages reads: "Use your Ourocard Visa debit or credit cards for your purchases and compete for a travel package to the 2024 Paris Olympics and prize miles." This campaign directs users to a page where they must enter their CPF number to register or check their participation.

Scams leveraging significant events like the Olympics are not new. Lottery scams have been prevalent since the dawn of the internet and have proven to be highly adaptable. As Patrick Donnelly, a researcher at Bitdefender, pointed out, "Years of practice have taught fraudsters that these schemes are highly versatile and can be promoted alongside numerous topics, whether it's the Olympics or the pandemic."

Looking ahead, online users can expect a rise in various types of scams as the 2024 Paris Olympic Games approach. Phishing attacks, fake websites and apps, ticket scams, and public Wi-Fi risks at and around Olympic venues are among the predicted threats. Cybersecurity experts warn to especially be cautious of unsolicited emails offering last-minute ticket deals or promoting fraudulent websites and mobile apps mimicking official Olympic platforms.

Additionally, users should be wary of counterfeit Olympic merchandise being sold through fake advertisements and platforms, as well as potential on-site scams and physical security risks such as pickpocketing and theft in crowded places.

To stay safe, Bitdefender advises consumers to be vigilant, verify the legitimacy of sources, use strong and unique passwords, exercise caution with public Wi-Fi connections, and remain updated on the latest cybersecurity threats. They also recommend making use of security solutions and dedicated scam detection tools such as Bitdefender's AI-powered tool, Scamio.