The Oscar ceremony: Award-winning films, award-worthy scams

The 96th Academy Awards, which will honour the best films of 2023, will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 10. Oppenheimer led with 13 nominations, followed by Poor Things and Killers of the Flower Moon with 11 and 10, respectively.

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The Oscar ceremony significantly boosts public interest in nominated films, a phenomenon that doesn’t go unnoticed by online scammers. Capitalising on this heightened curiosity, fraudsters craft phishing websites that promise free access to these popular movies. Unsuspecting viewers, eager to watch the acclaimed titles, may find themselves on these dubious sites where the risk of personal data loss looms large.

1. Fake streaming websites

Taking advantage of the growing popularity of Oscar-nominated movies, scammers are creating fake streaming websites that promise access to these films. To gain supposed “free” access, users are tricked into registering for a subscription by providing their credit card information. Unfortunately, after entering their personal details, users do not receive access to the movies, and instead, their sensitive information falls into the hands of fraudsters. This deceitful practice leads to unauthorised transactions and financial losses for the victims.

2. Fake films download

Some websites offering downloads of popular films can also be a phishing trap. These sites may offer multiple download options for a movie, but clicking on the links does not initiate a download. Instead, users are redirected to another page fraught with scams, such as fake money giveaways or prize draws. Engaging with these pages can lead to the loss of personal data and financial assets.

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Kaspersky experts share some simple steps, that will help avoid phishing:

1. Verify the website’s legitimacy.Before streaming or downloading movies, always check the credibility of the website. Look for reviews online or use trusted platforms recommended by legitimate sources.
2. Be wary of too-good-to-be-true offers. If a site offers free access to movies that are currently in theatres or have just been released, it’s probably a scam. When a “free” film access requires entering bank details, one should treat such a site with caution.
3. Consider using a reliable security solution. Protect your devices by installing reputable antivirus software and web security tools. These programs can detect and block access to phishing sites, helping to avoid malicious websites that might look legitimate at first glance.