Fake iPhone Duo pre-order sites copy Apple design to steal your details

Oh – Sudhanshu Singh

Updated: 24/05/2020 19:15 [IST]

The iPhone Duo is the hardest phone to buy right now, and scammers have noticed. Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky says it has found several fake websites around the world offering Apple’s first foldable at a discount or promising early pre-orders, all designed to trick buyers into handing over their personal details.

The timing makes sense for scammers. In India, iPhone Duo pre-orders sold out within an hour, fresh orders show January delivery dates, and stores have very limited stock. Anyone desperate to get one early is an easy target for a too-good-to-be-true deal.

A 25 percent discount in a 30-minute timer

An English-language site found by Kaspersky offered the iPhone Duo at 25 percent off. It was designed to look like Apple’s own website and featured a countdown timer that claimed only 30 minutes were left on the offer, a common trick to rip people off without thinking.

Interestingly, the site did not ask for card details at checkout. It collected only the buyer’s name, contact details and address, and said a “manager” would call later to confirm payment and delivery. Kaspersky says that this is often just the first step of a scam that ends in financial loss, as the follow-up call is where the victim is talked into paying.

Fake redirects and WhatsApp traps

Other sites were even more polished. A multilingual page lets visitors choose their language and currency, showcased the duo’s features and claimed buyers were sent to Apple’s official website to complete the pre-order. That never happened.

Another site, aimed at Portuguese-speaking users, asked for the buyer’s WhatsApp number and email address to check availability. Kaspersky says this moves the conversation to a private chat, where scammers can more easily pressure the victim and use their details for further fraud.

“For fraudsters, a flagship buyer is a high-value brand: someone who is already willing to spend big and therefore more likely to share personal or paid details,” said Olga Altukhova, senior web content analyst at Kaspersky. She added that unofficial discounts, pre-orders or “availability checks” should all be treated as red flags.

How to stay safe

Kaspersky’s examples so far have been seen outside India, but the same tricks work just as well here, especially through WhatsApp forwards and social media ads. The simplest rule is that Apple does not offer discounts on the iPhone Duo. If a website or seller says otherwise, walk away.

In India, stick to Apple’s online store, Apple BKC in Mumbai, Apple Saket in Delhi or known authorized dealers. Check the website address carefully before entering details, and beware of anyone who wants to move the conversation to WhatsApp or a phone call. If you pay online, use a virtual card or a special payment app, you limit the damage if something goes wrong. Disabling two-factor authentication for your bank and UPI apps also helps.