Australia’s National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) has raised concerns over a growing wave of online scams that have cost Australian residents approximately $74 million in the past year, according to its initiative Scamwatch. These scams primarily operate through sponsored advertisements that appear in online search results, financed by fraudsters for their own gain.
Scamwatch discovered that these fraudulent sponsored ads often target individuals searching for specific brands or stores online, especially when it comes to online shopping and making payments. These ads tend to appear prominently in search engine results, leading users to believe that they are legitimate businesses or paid content.
However, it was found that these ads are part of a larger cybercrime known as malvertising, which has corrupted many search engines with fraudulent webpages. This trend has been exacerbated by the increase in cyber attacks and data leaks on the dark web, with cybercriminals using compromised data to deceive people.
To combat these scams, Scamwatch has provided some key tips to help users spot sponsored ad scams:
1. Fraudulent websites will have “Sponsored” mentioned on top of them, as indicated in the accompanying image.
2. Sponsored pages often catch the user’s eye and appear prominently in search results. It is best to avoid clicking on them.
3. Spoofed websites will have URLs that resemble well-known brands but with additional words or characters. Users should be wary of these links.
4. The logos on these websites may not contain the company’s graphics, indicating that they are fraudulent.
5. The content on these websites, including the URL, web description, website pages, and product descriptions, may be poorly written and lacking proper grammar and details.
6. Scammers may use technology like deepfake to create videos impersonating famous celebrities and endorse products. They may also use pictures of famous personalities in fraudulent advertisements.
7. These scammers create numerous fake reviews, often posted under different names, to make their websites appear legitimate.
8. Sponsored ads may lead to websites that show pop-ups or alerts asking users to update their systems, delete viruses, or make purchases.
9. These ads may offer products at very low prices.
10. The payment methods offered may have limitations, such as only accepting payment through specific cards or Bitcoin, as scammers seek specific details to misuse later.
11. These websites often feature models or hosts speaking in a superficial tone, who are likely paid actors pretending to have gained perks and prizes effortlessly.
Scamwatch emphasizes that users should not open these malicious advertisements or sponsored pages. Legitimate companies do not usually offer randomly earned prizes or advertise them on unknown platforms. By avoiding clicking on sponsored content and suspicious links, users can protect themselves from scams, malware, and malicious websites.
It is essential for users to remain vigilant while browsing the internet, as cybercrime continues to evolve and adapt. Scamwatch plays a crucial role in collecting reports and raising awareness about fraud among the general public, working with both the government and private sectors.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this report is based on internal and external research and is for reference purposes only. Users bear full responsibility for their reliance on this information, and The Cyber Express assumes no liability for the accuracy or consequences of its use.
*(Image Source: Scamwatch)*