After the launch of Apple’s first foldable smartphone iPhone Duo, cyber criminals have started targeting customers. Cyber security company Kaspersky has detected many such fake websites, which are trying to trap people by giving attractive discounts and pre-order offers on phones. The company has warned customers to check any unknown website thoroughly before trusting it.
According to Kaspersky, the sale of iPhone Duo has started from October 23, 2026. Taking advantage of people’s enthusiasm about new devices, cyber criminals are doing online scams in different countries. The company said in a statement issued on October 24 that its researchers have found many types of fraudulent websites.
One of these English language websites looked like Apple’s official website. It was claimed to sell iPhone Duo with 25% discount. To encourage customers to make quick purchases, a countdown timer was also being shown on the website, claiming that only 30 minutes were left for the offer to end.
To buy phones on the website, customers were asked for their name, contact information and delivery address. However, instead of giving the card information immediately, it was said that a manager would contact later to confirm the delivery and payment information.
According to Kaspersky, this could be the initial stage of a major fraud, due to which customers may have to suffer financial losses in the future.
Scam running in different languages also
Kaspersky also discovered websites where customers could pre-order the iPhone Duo by selecting their preferred language and currency. One of these websites claimed that the customer would be sent to Apple’s official website, but it was not so.
Apart from this, a fake website targeting Portuguese speaking customers also came to light. It was asking for email address and phone number associated with WhatsApp in the name of checking the availability of the phone. After receiving such information, scammers can target customers through fake calls and messages.
Keep these things in mind while shopping online
Kaspersky advises to always buy new smartphones from official or trusted retailers. Before giving personal information on any website, check its URL and company name carefully. Be wary of overly attractive discounts and offers that pressure you into making a hasty purchase.
The company has also advised to use reliable security software to avoid online fraud and phishing links. It may be better to use virtual card or secure payment service for payment. Additionally, keep two-factor authentication enabled on bank and financial accounts and check bank statements regularly so that any unknown transactions can be detected in time.
Kaspersky also said that its Kaspersky Premium product received ‘Approved’ certification in AV-Comparatives’ Fake Shops Detection test in 2025.
