Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has warned of a spike in online scams tied to Apple’s iPhone 17 launch, as criminals exploit consumer hype with fake websites, lotteries, and tester schemes.
According to the company, fraudsters are creating counterfeit sites mimicking Apple’s official store, tricking buyers with “guaranteed preorder” offers that harvest payment details without processing purchases.
Other schemes involve bogus lotteries promising free iPhones, requiring victims to complete surveys, submit personal details, or pay fake delivery fees. Criminals are also recruiting supposed “testers” for early access to the device, asking for shipping information and fees but delivering nothing.
“Cybercriminals thrive on the excitement of major product launches, turning consumer enthusiasm into a gateway for data breaches,” said Kaspersky analyst Tatyana Shcherbakova.
The firm urged consumers to stick to Apple’s official store, authorized retailers, or verified carriers, and to enable multi-factor authentication and monitor account activity.
Apple opened iPhone 17 preorders on September 12 in over 60 countries, with sales beginning September 19. The rollout will expand to 22 more markets from September 26.
