Paris Olympics scams are fraud campaigns that use fake tickets, fake merchandise shops and fake mobile data offers to steal money and personal data from fans and tourists. Criminals copy the look of real sellers and ask for banking details. The safest step is to buy tickets only from the official Paris 2024 ticket site and to ignore offers that look too good to be true.
As the Paris Olympics are set to begin this weekend, threat actors are attempting to exploit the situation for their own gain. They have initiated fraudulent activities aimed at profiting from tickets and products related to the event.
With a very large number of visitors expected in Paris, scammers are taking advantage of the excitement and enthusiasm of numerous tourists in a foreign environment. They are attempting to steal personal and banking information through various fake deals and services that are “too good to be true.”
What Is the Paris Olympics 48GB Mobile Data Scam?
Researchers have observed various types of scams involving fake mobile plans promising 48 GB of free internet to visiting tourists. Victims who fall for this scam may find themselves unable to obtain even a single free megabyte after signing up and filling out the required forms.
These forms typically collect phone numbers, personal information, and banking details to steal money from bank accounts. Tourists, preoccupied with watching Olympic events, may be too distracted to notice the potential theft until it is too late.
Given what mobile data plans in France normally cost, such offers remain quite implausible. Victims who are successfully scammed may risk losing not only their money but also their personal information.
How Do Ticketing and Merchandise Scams Work?
Scammers have also targeted Olympic ticket and merchandise sales. Fake ticketing websites offer a range of events, from archery to badminton, while requesting personal data and consent to collect information. Several phishing websites have been observed claiming to sell Olympic merchandise at attractive prices but are actually attempting to steal money and personal information.
To avoid falling victim to these scams, researchers recommend using the official Olympics website for ticket purchases and being cautious of suspicious sites such as strangers[.]ope, which offers cheap merchandise like keychains, commemorative coins, magnets, and scarves at significantly discounted prices. These sites often appear legitimate, featuring integrated pop-ups that request visitor consent to collect personal data and use web-tracking cookies. Additionally, they typically link to their own “privacy policies,” which can inadvertently lead unsuspecting victims to share sensitive information with scammers.