Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has issued a warning over a surge in online scams capitalising on the global excitement surrounding Apple’s iPhone 17 launch. The company revealed that cybercriminals are creating fake websites, bogus lotteries, and fraudulent “tester” recruitment schemes designed to trick consumers into handing over personal data and financial details.
One of the most common tactics flagged involves counterfeit websites mimicking Apple’s official store, offering “guaranteed preorders” to unsuspecting shoppers. Victims are lured into entering their bank details, which are then stolen by fraudsters instead of being processed as genuine purchases. Other schemes include fake lotteries promising free iPhones, where participants are asked to share personal information, complete surveys, or pay false delivery fees.
Kaspersky also highlighted scams targeting tech enthusiasts with fabricated “tester” recruitment programs for early access to the iPhone 17. In these cases, participants are often asked to submit contact and shipping details, and in some cases, pay fees, only to receive nothing in return. According to Kaspersky analyst Tatyana Shcherbakova, cybercriminals are increasingly refining their tactics, moving from crude phishing attempts to sophisticated, authentic-looking websites that can deceive even cautious users.
The firm urged consumers to prioritise safety by purchasing only through official Apple channels, authorised retailers, or verified carriers. It also advised users to carefully verify website URLs, ignore unsolicited offers, avoid providing personal details for freebies, and enable multi-factor authentication to protect their accounts. Apple, which began iPhone 17 preorders on September 12 in over 63 countries, will roll out the device’s availability from September 19, with an additional 22 regions set to follow on September 26.