Scammers Used Fake iPhone 18 Pro Offers to Steal Data
Fraudulent websites are leveraging nonexistent device launches to harvest personal and financial details globally.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Cybersecurity
Live Poll
Do you trust online retailers offering large discounts on newly released high-demand smartphones?
Kaspersky has identified a wave of fraudulent websites offering the nonexistent iPhone 18 Pro at a 25% discount to harvest user data. These platforms deceive consumers by soliciting Bitcoin payments and personal information under the guise of early pre-orders.
Why it matters
Cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting the heightened consumer anticipation surrounding major hardware product cycles to extract sensitive data. This trend shifts the threat landscape from traditional phishing toward sophisticated, brand-impersonating e-commerce fraud.
Fraudulent sites display fake device specifications, including an A20 Pro processor with 6 CPU cores, 7 GPU cores, and a 16-core Neural Engine. These figures are being used as lures to validate illegitimate pre-order pages.
The players
Kaspersky
A global cybersecurity firm known for endpoint security, threat intelligence, and digital fraud detection.
The details
Scammers deploy polished web interfaces in English, Arabic, and Portuguese to mimic legitimate retail platforms and lower victim defenses. The sites request names, email addresses, residence information, and bank card details while offering Bitcoin payment options or partial upfront fees under the promise of full refunds.
Timeline
October 3, 2026: Kaspersky issued warnings regarding the spread of iPhone 18 Pro scams.
The Tech Race
This campaign follows the established pattern of pre-launch product hype exploitation, utilizing the anticipation surrounding major hardware release cycles to bypass consumer caution. It highlights a tactical shift where attackers weaponize the promise of future devices against brand loyalty.
Consumers should avoid any platform offering pre-orders for unannounced products, particularly those requiring Bitcoin or non-standard payment methods. These fraudulent sites can be identified by the inclusion of hardware specifications or color options not officially confirmed by Apple.
The takeaway
The most effective defense against this fraud is ignoring any pre-order offer for hardware that has not been formally announced through official channels. Monitor official company press releases to verify the existence of new products before providing any personal information.
Further reading
For broader trends in digital safety and threat mitigation, explore our Cybersecurity section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Legit.ng - Nigeria news..
Live Poll
Do you trust online retailers offering large discounts on newly released high-demand smartphones?
