Premiere of F1: The Movie sparks global wave of online frauds
The global release of F1: The Movie, the Apple Original Films production starring Brad Pitt, has unleashed a wave of internet fraud, warn security experts.
According to Kaspersky, cybercriminals are exploiting the launch to lure victims with fake promotions, ranging from free subscriptions to watch the film to fraudulent contests offering racing car toys.
Scams Involving Fake Subscriptions.
One of the most common schemes involves a counterfeit website offering a “free subscription” to stream the movie online.
Featuring a dark design and an official image of Brad Pitt, the portal requests users to create an account and link a bank card.
However, after registration, the scammers drain all available funds and never grant access to the promised content.
This is how María Isabel Manjarrez, Security Researcher for Latin America at Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT), describes it:
“These campaigns exploit the emotional urgency and collective excitement generated by a major premiere to manipulate users. A polished aesthetic and recognizable references, such as official images or brand names, are enough to lower victims’ guard. The goal is to obtain banking or personal data through seemingly harmless interactions, such as registering or entering a contest. Therefore, beyond avoiding suspicious links, it is crucial to cultivate a critical mindset about the content we consume online.”
Frauds Involving Promotional Toys.
Another fraudulent tactic takes advantage of the partnership between the film and a fast-food franchise in Latin America, which offers exclusive miniature racing car toys with themed combo purchases.
Scammers have created a fake website promising to deliver these toys for free in exchange for completing a survey.
They then request payment for shipping and steal both the money and users’ personal data, which can be exploited for further attacks or sold on the dark web.
Kaspersky notes that the fraudulent site is highly sophisticated.
Manjarrez explains:
“The survey includes questions related to the movie, with plausible options that enhance the scam’s legitimacy. For example, it asks who plays the lead role, where scenes with real cars were filmed, or which famous drivers advised the production. However, the survey allows unlimited attempts, and users are directed to the prize delivery page even if their answers are incorrect.”
Recommendations to Prevent Fraud.
In light of this situation, Kaspersky advises users to:
Be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, especially those appealing to emotion and urgency without allowing verification.
Verify the authenticity of websites before engaging by checking URLs and seeking links to official channels.
Avoid sharing personal or financial information on unverified platforms, as this is the primary method for data theft.
Maintain a critical view of unauthorized use of well-known brands and avoid assuming a promotion is genuine solely because it involves famous companies or individuals.
Use comprehensive and up-to-date digital security solutions, such as Kaspersky Premium, which detect phishing sites and protect personal data.
The international reach of the film and fan enthusiasm make these frauds likely to spread across various regions, making prevention and vigilance essential to avoid falling victim to these traps.
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