Warning over Euro 2024 crypto scam as criminals plaster 'Harry Kane coins' all over social media
- Criminals have used Harry Kane's image to promote a fraudulent crypto scheme
- Experts warn that scammers are constantly finding new methods to steal money
Fraudsters are capitalising on the event-filled summer by targeting unsuspecting victims with counterfeit cryptocurrency promotions.
England skipper Harry Kane was the focus of one of these crypto scams, cyber security firm Kaspersky said, with 'Captain Harry Kane' coins having been advertised online to draw in football fans ahead of - and during - the Euro 2024 competition.
Scammers used cartoon images of the football player in the hope of masquerading the crypto currency as an official product.
The adverts were also designed using similar branding to the official Euro 2024 tournament.
![Professional: The advert used to advertise the crypto scam gives the appearance of a legitimate product](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/02/17/86838685-13593125-Professional_The_advert_used_to_advertise_the_crypto_scam_gives_-a-35_1719937888908.jpg)
Professional: The advert used to advertise the crypto scam gives the appearance of a legitimate product
The crypto advert was distributed on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Telegram, as well as via targeted email blasts.
Kaspersky said the scam sees excited investors rush to buy the online currency, which causes the price to surge, at which point the scammers sell their holdings and in doing so crash the market in a matter of minutes, leaving them with their pockets lined and the victims penniless.
According to the firm, this particular crypto scam is no longer active. It said famous names have previously been used by scammers in order to target the figure's fans, especially during large sporting events such as the Euros.
Olga Svistunova, security expert at Kaspersky, said: 'These schemes around major events follow a familiar pattern—fraudsters simply change the lure based on current trends.
'However, we should not underestimate them, as they constantly adapt and find new ways to profit.
'For example, our recent discovery of cryptocurrency scams tied to popular players shows their ability to exploit emerging opportunities.'
Kaspersky said it has also seen fake tickets being promoted through a campaign impersonating a popular German energy firm, as well as fraudulent online merchandise stores selling discounted products, and false football streams offering low-priced coverage, all of which sprung up during the weeks leading up to the tournament.
These scams come after a warning that ticket scams could cost football fans £243 if they fall victim to a fraudulent seller when trying to snap up last minute tickets.
Look out for red flags
While scams are becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate from legitimate products, there are still a number of signs that indicate that whoever is behind a product might not have the noblest of intentions.
First, make sure that the offer isn't too good to be true.
'You should look at what they guarantee as a return.
'If a crypto scam promises high guaranteed returns, with little or no risk, it is likely a scam.
'Genuine investments carry risk and can't guarantee profits,' Andrey Sidenko, a web analyst at Kaspersky, said.
'There will also be a lack of transparency, as scammers often provide little information about their team, their technology or their business model, whereas legitimate products are usually transparent and have plenty of information available.'
Sidenko added: 'Social media is the other red flag, with scammers often using fake accounts and testimonials, with aggressive marketing campaigns on platforms like Twitter and Facebook.'
The profiles they use, he said, are clearly not real people, and therefore what they say about a product shouldn't be taken at face value.
'Scammers will also use complex and confusing language, with technical jargon and words specific to the crypto world in order to hide the lack of substance behind the product,' he added.
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