Online Scams and Phishing Attempts on the Rise with Valentine’s Day Approaching

As couples prepare to celebrate Valentine’s Day with flowers, love letters, and carefully selected gifts, cybercriminals are setting up fake websites to take advantage of romantic gift shoppers. Experts have identified several scam schemes that users might encounter while shopping for romantic gifts and provided practical advice on avoiding deception.

Scammers Targeting Online Engagement Ring Purchases

Valentine’s Day is often considered a popular occasion to propose, leading to an increase in online engagement ring purchases. This trend is being exploited by cybercriminals. A fraudulent website mimicking Amazon was detected, offering attractive deals on jewelry. The scheme aims to steal users’ Amazon credentials by prompting them to enter their login and password, which could result in account takeovers, phishing attacks, or personal and banking data leaks.

Fake Flower Websites and Seasonal Demand

Flowers remain a major symbol of February 14th, with around 250 million roses grown specifically for the occasion each year. This seasonal demand attracts scammers, who create standalone fake websites with tempting offers and time-limited discounts. Vivid product images and appealing descriptions are used to lower user vigilance, increasing the risk of consumers paying for orders that are never fulfilled.

Tech Gifts and Cyber Scams

Tech gifts are gaining popularity among Valentine’s Day shoppers, with smart-home and personal devices becoming common choices. Scammers are taking advantage of this trend by creating fake online stores that claim to sell popular tech brands’ products, using brand recognition and demand to lure in unsuspecting buyers.

Precautions to Take

To make online gift shopping safer, consider the following precautions:

• Check website URLs and domain names.
• Be cautious of advertising offers from emails.
• Avoid sharing personal and banking data.
• Use cybersecurity protection.

Experts Warn of Holiday Scams

"Holiday time is always associated with an increase in scams. Fraudulent schemes are often standard but highly adaptable to emerging trends," says Olga Svistunova, a cybersecurity expert. "Being cautious when receiving favorable offers and significant discounts online is crucial. Verifying website addresses and avoiding entering personal or banking information on suspicious sites can help protect against potential scams."

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Published On Feb 14, 2025 at 10:03 AM IST

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