Following Apple’s announcement of new iPhone models including the iPhone Duo foldable handset and iPhone 18 Pro variants, security researchers have identified a significant uptick in fraudulent websites designed to prey on consumers seeking discounted prices.
Criminals registered a large number of domain names containing keywords such as “Apple” and “iPhone” in the period surrounding the product launch. Investigators found that domain registrations peaked on the day of the announcement, with more than 200 new domains registered within 24 hours compared to zero or one on typical days. Security experts anticipate this pattern will continue, with hundreds of additional scam sites expected to emerge in the coming period.
The fraudulent sites employ sophisticated tactics to appear legitimate. Scammers use artificial intelligence to replicate the appearance of genuine retailers and incorporate technical specifications released by Apple to build convincing product listings. These sites typically advertise prices substantially lower than official retail prices, with the iPhone 18 Pro starting at £1,199 and the 18 Pro Max at £1,299 through legitimate channels. Many fraudulent sites also create artificial urgency by imposing purchase deadlines of just a few hours.
Criminals typically restrict payment methods to bank transfers, which lack the consumer protections associated with credit and debit card transactions. Some sites may also demand payment through cryptocurrency, another indicator of potential fraud. Security researchers note that many of these sites remain undetected by browser blocklists despite being flagged as dangerous by dozens of security engines.
Consumers are advised to verify which models are officially available for purchase, recognize that Apple does not operate lotteries or recruit product testers through such sites, and be wary of payment methods restricted to bank transfers or cryptocurrency. Those who believe they have been targeted should contact their bank and report the fraud, then change their passwords.
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