Israeli Firm BrandShield Detects Over 1.5 Million Fake Websites and Profiles

The Israeli cybersecurity firm BrandShield has reported a significant surge in online deception during the past Hebrew year (Tashpag 2025), identifying over 1.5 million fake domains, websites, and social media profiles. The company's report highlights the sophisticated use of artificial intelligence by attackers to impersonate well-known entities, exploit public trust, and leverage national emergencies for malicious purposes.

Key targets included major brands and public figures. BrandShield detected approximately 10,395 fake registrations related to El Al airlines and 1,165 sites impersonating the Hostages Families Forum, which were used to sell products. Internationally, over 10,000 fake FIFA sites were found ahead of the 2026 World Cup, alongside nearly 4,800 profiles impersonating Elon Musk and thousands of fraudulent domains mimicking major brands like Omaha, Nike, Leobo, and Apple's iPhone.

BrandShield CEO Yoav Keren explained that scammers target recognizable names to increase the likelihood of victims falling for the deception. The sophistication of these scams has also escalated, with one SMS phishing campaign impersonating the "Transportation Authority" allowing attackers to view victim input in real-time before submission. AI tools now enable the rapid creation of entirely fake businesses, complete with logos, staff, and testimonials, within minutes.

Keren emphasized that AI has dramatically scaled up these operations, transforming time-consuming and costly fraudulent activities into simple, quick tasks. The firm also uncovered an international network operating from Hong Kong that sold counterfeit medicines globally, posing as official health organizations. The report notes a sharp increase in phishing and impersonation attacks in Israel, particularly coinciding with security and political events, as criminal groups exploit national emergencies and holidays to distribute malware and steal credit card information.