McAfee’s List of 5 Online Scams to Avoid During the ICC Cricket World Cup

From October 5 onwards, India will be the host country for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, which will last for approximately one and a half months. During this time, a total of 48 ODI matches will take place among the 10 qualified teams. As the event approaches, both locals and international travelers are eager to secure match tickets and accommodations to witness their respective nations in action. However, amidst this excitement and passion, there is a dark side as cyber criminals are actively seeking to deceive individuals by stealing their personal information and money. McAfee has recently issued a warning about five online scams that people may fall victim to while attempting to book tickets and make travel arrangements online.

According to McAfee, these common Cricket online scams often include booking tickets, ticket offers, free ticket contests, downloading tickets from unsafe websites, booking hotels, booking travel plans and more. Let’s take a closer look.

1. Real money from fake tickets

According to McAfee, ticket fraud is when someone advertises tickets for sale, usually through a website or message board, collects a payment, and then disappears without the buyer getting a ticket. Thousands of people have fallen victim to ticket fraud around the world in the last few years. The Cricket World Cup is a prime (and lucrative) target for these types of online scams, with fans willing to pay tens of thousands of rupees to watch their team compete. When ticket sales for the most anticipated matches open, fans should beware of these scams and make sure they use official platforms verified by the organizers.

McAfee warns that fans should stay away from attractive-looking discounts and ticket combinations from unverified sites, as well as those that do not accept debit or credit cards and only accept payment in the form of cryptocurrency or bank transfer.

2. Fake contests

Phishers are gearing up to take advantage of the World Cup fever that is creating global anticipation. Excited people may be more susceptible to offers they would normally approach with caution at any other time of the year. In previous years, fake contests and travel offers flooded e-mail boxes worldwide, McAfee reveals. While some legitimate companies do run prizes, cybercriminals take advantage of these opportunities to launch phishing attacks with fake contests linked to fraudulent companies. Please be wary of any email or text claiming to have won a ticket without your participation. It is highly unusual for a company to automatically enter individuals into a drawing; typically they require some action, such as participating in a social media post, in exchange for entering a contest. Also, be wary of emails that pressure you to respond within a few hours to “claim your rewards.” While it’s true that genuine contest winners must respond quickly, reputable companies will usually give you at least a day, if not more, to confirm receipt.

3. Travel scams

Traveling to support your favorite team in 10 Indian cities can be expensive. In the midst of their excitement, fans often look online for the best deals and may overlook warning signs. However, if you come across World Cup travel packages that seem too good to be true, McAfee advises you to steer clear. Fraudulent ads for ultra-cheap flights, hotels and tickets can not only infiltrate your email, but also pop up on your social media feed. Remember that an ad alone does not guarantee that it is from a reputable company.

Genuine travel agencies usually maintain professional websites with clear graphics and well-crafted website content. Before making any commitments, do an online search for the organization’s name and find out what others have to say about their experiences with the company. If you can’t find search results or encounter a poorly designed website, be careful or consider avoiding it altogether.

4. Malicious streaming sites

Even fans who have agreed not to attend World Cup matches in person should remain vigilant against scams. Websites that claim to offer high-resolution, lag-free streams of every game may actually be spreading malware. These sketchy sites often contain malware and ransomware that specifically target home computers. One click on a malicious link is enough to give cybercriminals or viruses access to your device.

To ensure your online safety and access to high-quality live game streams, McAfee advises you to stick to the official website of your local broadcaster or the official World Cup website. Although you may have to pay a fee, in the bigger picture this cost is likely to be much cheaper than replacing or repairing an infected device.

5. Fake downloads

The risks continue even after the matches. Maybe you missed last night’s game and want to catch up, or you just want to relive the excitement of the match. In such cases, you can search the web for remakes, but remember that many malicious campaigns are designed to trick people into downloading malware.

When you search for past matches online, you may come across several websites that offer downloads of match recordings. However, clicking on these links may prompt you to download a .zip file that is actually full of malware.

Be sure to follow these guidelines from McAfee to ensure an amazing and safe ICC Cricket World Cup experience.