Proofpoint issued a cautionary alert about fraudulent sites selling Paris 2024 Olympic tickets.
The fake site, paris24tickets[.]com, appeared as a legitimate secondary marketplace.
It was featured as the second sponsored result on Google searches.
The fake site showed up just after the official Olympic ticket platform.
Upon discovery, Proofpoint’s Takedown Team worked with the domain registrar.
They swiftly suspended the domain and confirmed its illegitimacy with French authorities.
The quick action prevented further damage and protected users from the scam.
Proofpoint confirmed the fraudulent nature of the site with authorities.
Emile Abou Saleh of Proofpoint highlighted the risks of such scams.
The excitement around events like the Olympics attracts cybercriminals.
They exploit user enthusiasm with social engineering tactics.
These tactics also contribute to the rise in Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks.
The fraudulent site was part of a larger trend of Olympic ticket scams.
The French Gendarmerie Nationale reported 338 counterfeit ticketing websites.
Out of these, 51 sites were shut down and 140 received legal notices.
Proofpoint identified a website with fake Olympic listings and a payment system.
The website design mimicked well-known platforms to increase its credibility.
The scammers aimed to steal money and personal information, such as credit card details.
The site’s appearance misled users into trusting its false legitimacy.
The goal was to gather sensitive information for fraudulent purposes.
The fraudulent site was mainly promoted through search engine ads.
Some users encountered it through email offers with supposed Olympic ticket discounts.
Scammers may have gathered email addresses from prior site interactions.
They exploited these contacts to distribute further scams via email.
The Olympics are a prime target for fraudsters exploiting current events.
Although this site has been deactivated, more fraudulent sites may appear.
Fans must stay cautious and verify ticket sources to avoid scams.
It’s essential to trust only verified vendors for ticket purchases.
