Cybersecurity Alert: Fake Shops Target Winter Olympics 2026 Fans for Attacks

Cybersecurity: Winter Olympics 2026 Scam Alert

The Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has become a target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit the event's popularity. The official mascots, Tina and Milo, and their plush toys have gained significant international attention, leading to a surge in demand. This demand has unfortunately resulted in the emergence of fraudulent websites mimicking the official Olympic store.

Impersonating the official web store, these scam sites replicate the storefront design, product pages, and promotional videos to deceive consumers. Examples of these fraudulent domains include 2026winterdeals[.]top, olympics-sale[.]shop, and winter0lympicsstore[.]top, which utilize subtle modifications like replacing the letter "o" with a zero. Users from countries such as Italy, Ireland, China, and the U.S. have visited these sites, indicating a broad, coordinated effort by cybercriminals.

Security researchers have identified nearly 20 scam domains impersonating the official Olympic merchandise store. In response, cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes has begun blocking these sites after confirming their fraudulent nature.

These fraudulent websites are created using template-based storefronts, enabling rapid deployment of convincing fake shops. A key indicator of these scams is the pricing strategy. While the genuine Tina plush is priced at €40 and is currently sold out, counterfeit sites offer it for €20 or claim discounts of up to 80%.

Consumers who proceed with purchases on these sites risk having their payment information, names, addresses, and phone numbers captured. Moreover, victims may receive follow-up phishing emails or malware through "order confirmation" or "tracking" links, often resulting in both personal data loss and financial loss without receiving any product.

The use of AI-driven phishing site generation is a new trend in 2026, allowing scammers to clone legitimate pages across multiple languages, making it increasingly difficult for even tech-savvy users to identify counterfeit sites.

To avoid falling victim to these scams, fans interested in purchasing official Olympic merchandise should adhere to the following precautions:

Only purchase from shop.olympics.com , typing the URL manually instead of clicking on links from emails or social media. Consider dramatic discounts and "back in stock" claims on unfamiliar domains as warning signs. Examine domain names for unusual endings such as .top or .shop, and be cautious of letter substitutions like "0" for "o". Avoid entering payment information on unverified websites; exit immediately if suspicious. Use browser protection tools like Malwarebytes Browser Guard to automatically block or analyze suspicious sites.

As the Winter Olympics attract over 3 billion viewers, it is crucial for fans to stay vigilant and verify websites before making purchases to enjoy the Olympic spirit without falling prey to digital scams.

Based on reporting by GBHackers.