Beware: scammers use Barbie, Oppenheimer to steal user money, personal data

New Delhi: Cybercriminals have been capitalizing on the anticipation surrounding two highly awaited Hollywood movies, 'Barbie' starring Margot Robbie and Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer,' to steal users' money and sensitive personal data.

The cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has revealed that scammers are employing phishing tactics to deceive unsuspecting individuals, exploiting the excitement surrounding these movie releases for their unlawful gain.

One of the fraudulent schemes discovered involves enticing users with special offers on Barbie dolls in conjunction with the film's release.

In addition to the regular dolls, users are lured into purchasing limited-edition dolls associated with the movie, including one featuring the lead actress Margot Robbie, priced at approximately 12 pounds sterling.

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Once users make their purchasing decisions, they are directed to a form requesting personal identification details such as name, address, phone number, and banking information.

Unfortunately, unsuspecting individuals unknowingly provide their money and personal information to fraudsters through this process.

In addition to the financial risks involved, this scam also raises significant privacy concerns as the stolen data could potentially be sold on the Dark Web Market, as stated in the report by Kaspersky.

"While the experience is exhilarating, we must not overlook the risks. By maintaining a vigilant mindset and practising safe online habits, we can fully enjoy the Barbie and Oppenheimer experience while safeguarding ourselves from cyber threats lurking in the digital world," said Olga Svistunova, security expert at Kaspersky.

Moreover, the report said that the scammers did not miss out on another popular release, Oppenheimer.

They deceived people by offering to stream the movie for free, but their real intention was to steal users' banking information and money.

Scammers frequently use this tactic in such situations, requesting a nominal fee of one dollar or euro for registration. To proceed with the registration, they require the linking of a bank card, allowing unauthorised and difficult-to-cancel debits from users' accounts, according to the report.

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