Roskachestvo Investigation: Scammers Impersonate Websites Selling iPhone 17
The Digital Expertise Center of Roskachestvo has reported an increase in cybercriminal activity targeting Russians ahead of the announcement of new Apple products. Experts have uncovered dozens of phishing websites that mimic popular electronics stores, offering pre-orders for the iPhone 17 at prices reaching up to 500,000 rubles.
Researchers explained that potential victims typically encounter these fraudulent sites through contextual advertising or spam messages sent via instant messengers. The scammers meticulously replicate the design and logos of legitimate retailers but utilize domain names containing typos or substituted characters. To «pre-order» a device, a partial upfront payment is required. After accumulating significant funds, these websites cease operations, and their technical support contacts block users.
According to data from Roskachestvo`s Digital Expertise Center, over twenty such fake websites have been identified in the past week alone. The average prepayment amount, as discovered by the researchers, ranges from 50,000 to 200,000 rubles, depending on the device modification. Roskachestvo strongly advises consumers to make purchases exclusively on official websites and to refrain from transferring prepayments to private individuals or microfinance organization accounts.
Sergey Kuzmenko, head of Roskachestvo`s Digital Expertise Center, emphasized that if you have already fallen victim to these fraudsters, it is crucial to immediately contact your bank to block the transfer, save all screenshots of correspondence and payment details, and file a report through the State Services portal.
