Online Scams Surge as Israelis Hunt for November Shopping Deals
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Cybercriminals are exploiting Israel's November shopping season with a surge in fake websites impersonating international brands, according to cybersecurity firm BrandShield. The number of fraudulent domains targeting brands like On Cloud, Nike, and Shark has increased significantly, making it difficult for consumers to identify scams. CEO Yoav Keren cited AI advancements as a factor in creating more convincing fraudulent sites, expanding scams beyond major brands to nearly all consumer sectors.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Cybercriminals are exploiting Israel's November shopping season with a surge in fake websites.
- Fraudulent domains impersonating brands like On Cloud, Nike, and Shark have increased significantly.
- On Cloud saw a 457% rise in fake domains, from 1,500 to 8,352 this year.
- AI advancements are enabling criminals to create more convincing fake websites, according to BrandShield CEO.
- Scams have expanded beyond major brands to nearly all consumer sectors during the shopping period.
As Israelis gear up for major November shopping events like Shopping IL, Singles' Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, cybercriminals are exploiting the festive atmosphere to perpetrate scams. Israeli cybersecurity firm BrandShield reports a significant increase in fake websites impersonating international brands, designed to trick consumers into divulging credit card details under the guise of attractive discounts.
The data reveals a dramatic rise in fraudulent domains targeting popular brands. For instance, domains related to the shoe brand On Cloud surged by approximately 457%, from 1,500 last year to 8,352 this year. Nike saw a 28% increase, with 6,566 fake domains compared to 5,134 previously. Other sports brands like Hoka experienced a 42% jump (3,031 domains vs. 2,140), and Adidas saw a 31% rise (1,278 domains vs. 978).
These scams are not limited to fashion. Home appliance brands are also prime targets, with Shark facing 15,006 impersonating domains, followed by Dreame (5,514), iRobot (2,695), and Dyson (1,119). The prevalence of these fake offers makes it harder for consumers to distinguish legitimate deals from scams during the discount-heavy November period.
Yoav Keren, CEO of BrandShield, explained that November presents a prime opportunity for cybercriminals due to increased consumer demand for deals. He noted that while scams previously focused on major brands like Apple and Adidas, they have now expanded across nearly all consumer sectors. Keren attributed this expansion partly to the advancement of AI tools, which enable fraudsters to quickly create convincing websites and content, blurring the lines between genuine offers and fraudulent schemes.
