Kaspersky Reveals Fraud Mode With Popularity Exploitation Of Barbie And Oppenheimer Films

Barbie (Warner Bros)

JAKARTA - Barbie and Oppenheimer have been the two most eagerly awaited films this year. Unfortunately, as with other popular phenomena, fraudsters don't stop immediately exploiting the great popularity of Barbie and Oppenheimer for their evil purposes.

Kaspersky, in its report, Friday, July 21, stated that one form of fraud identified was through a fraudulent page offering a special offer to Barbie dolls, along with the release of the film.

Quoted from ANTARA, users are interested in the offer to buy limited dolls edition of the film, including one of its main actresses, Margot Robbie, at a suspicious price.

After users decide on the items to be purchased, they are directed to a purchase form that requires details of personal identification, such as name, address, phone number, and banking information.

Unabashedly, many users unknowingly send their money and personal data directly into the hands of fraudsters. In addition to financial risks, this kind of scam also endangers user privacy because stolen data can be sold on the Dark Web market.

Not only is the Barbie film being targeted by fraudsters, the Oppenheimer film, which is also scheduled to be released on the same day, being targeted by other scams. Fraudsters offer free movie streaming, but the real intention is to steal banking information and money from users.

In this fraudulent scheme, scammers often charge small fees, such as one dollar or euro, for registration. This suspicious request for payment should attract the attention of careful users.

To continue registration, the fraudsters asked for a bank card to be linked, which allows them to commit further fraud and is difficult to cancel from a user account.

Security expert at Kaspersky Olga Svistunova reminds users to remain vigilant and comply with online security rules. Even though the experience of enjoying popular films such as Barbie and Oppenheimer is so much fun, viewers should not ignore the existing risks.

By staying careful and implementing safe online habits, viewers can fully enjoy Barbie and Oppenheimer's experiences while protecting themselves from cyber threats lurking in the digital world.

Kaspersky gave some recommendations for spectators to stay safe while enjoying the excitement around the premiere of this film.

First, be careful of phishing scams that offer exclusive offers or free goods via email, message, or suspicious websites.

Always secure verification of websites before making online transactions by ensuring the site has a secure connection (HTTPS and a lock symbol in the address bar).

Use reliable security solutions, such as Kaspersky Premium, to identify malicious attachments and block phishing sites.

Always be careful when sharing personal information online, especially sensitive details such as addresses, phone numbers, or financial information. Share only that information on trusted and secure platforms.

Finally, it relies on official and trusted sources when buying merchandise, accessing movie content, or looking for information related to premieres. Avoid unofficial or suspicious sources.