Excited for “Joker: Folie à Deux”? Kaspersky Warns of Scammers Exploiting on the Film’s Hype

Kaspersky has discovered cybercriminals taking advantage of the excitement surrounding the upcoming worldwide cinema release of “Joker: Folie à Deux” to conduct online phishing scams. Fans looking forward to watching the new movie online are vulnerable to being tricked into divulging their sensitive information and losing money.

Kaspersky experts found fake websites pretending to offer the new movie for free. These sites ask for credit card information, but the movie is never available. Scammers can then use the card details for fraud or sell them on the dark web.

Scammers are using the Joker movie brand to trick people into fake investment schemes, giveaways, and other traps. They create fake websites that claim to offer free access to the movie. When people try to watch the video, they are taken to different pages. These pages often promote get-rich-quick schemes, offer the chance to join a giveaway, or promise other ways to make money. In some cases found by Kaspersky, people are asked to give personal information so scammers can contact them with fake investment offers, or to provide credit card details to claim a giveaway prize.

“As the premiere approaches, more people are looking for more ways to gain early access to the film and, as such, the risk of falling for such scams increases. We strongly recommend users carefully verify where they enter sensitive information and install reliable antivirus software that can warn against suspicious or malicious websites,” shared Olga Svistunova, a security expert at Kaspersky.

Kaspersky experts recommended the following tips for fans to protect themselves from phishing-related risks:

• Be cautious – Beware of suspicious emails, messages, or websites offering exclusive deals or freebies. Always verify the source before sharing personal or financial information.
• Safeguard personal data – Be mindful when providing sensitive information online, such as your address, phone number, or financial details, and only use secure platforms.
• Verify website security – Ensure websites have secure connections by looking for “https://” in the URL and a padlock symbol in the address bar.
• Use security solutions – Rely on trusted security solutions like Kaspersky Premium, which identifies malicious and phishing sites.
• Trust reliable sources – Stick to official websites, authorized retailers, and reputable sources for any content to avoid scams.