‘Watch The Odyssey for free online’: scam targets film fans with fake streaming sites

"The Odyssey" is the most anticipated film release of the summer, but fans eager to watch the adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic are falling victim to a scam targeting them with fake streaming sites. The sites, which promise free access to the Hollywood blockbuster, are nothing but fraudulent and can have severe consequences for unsuspecting viewers.

According to the UK campaign body BeStreamWise, signing up on these fake sites can lead to phishing scams, where criminals exploit the victim's personal details. Moreover, computers infected with malware are at risk of being controlled remotely by hackers, who can access sensitive information. The campaign body advises against entering financial details on such sites, as they are likely to be stolen and used for fraudulent activities.

The fraudsters create a sense of urgency by offering early or easy access to the film, hoping that eager fans will submit their bank details to activate the trial. These sites may also offer dubbed versions in the victim's native language, based on the victim's geolocation. Some fraudulent sites also use pop-up adverts, search results, and other websites to lure users.

Olga Altukhova, an analyst at cybersecurity company Kaspersky, warns that consumers should be cautious when unfamiliar film platforms appear, especially if the film has only recently been released and is still showing in cinemas. She advises accessing content only through official services to protect personal data and avoid potential financial losses.

If someone suspects they have been defrauded, they are advised to immediately inform their bank and change passwords for sites and apps, such as their bank, investment, and pension providers. Strengthening security by enabling multi-factor authentication is also recommended. In the UK, victims should contact Action Fraud, the national fraud reporting center.