"Watch Olympic Live Broadcasts for Free"… New Type of Scam Alert in Japan

"Be Cautious of Free Keywords"

It has been reported that fraudulent schemes tricking people into stealing personal information by enticing them with the promise of watching the 2024 Paris Olympic Games 'live' are rampant on several Japanese websites.

On the 29th (local time), Japan's NHK, citing an announcement from the telecommunications company 'NTT Data,' reported that online scams related to the Paris Olympics have increased along with the opening ceremony. These online scams are mainly conducted worldwide through websites, and many of the sites are reportedly created in Japanese.

An example of a phishing site. Pressing the play button requests personal information.
[Image source=NHK broadcast capture]

These websites display images that appear to broadcast live Olympic game scenes and provide a 'free play button.' However, when users click the button, they are redirected to a 'sign-up required' page that asks for important personal information such as credit card details. Even if users fill out the requested information, actual viewing is impossible.

Moreover, it has been confirmed that these scam websites are widely advertised through social networking services (SNS) and other channels. NHK stated, "Similar phishing sites have often been found during past international competitions," and added, "During the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the police also issued warnings."

Arai Yuu, a cybersecurity expert affiliated with the NTT Data Group, emphasized, "(Phishing sites) often attach links timed to coincide with the schedule of popular games," and warned, "There is a risk of clicking carelessly, so please be cautious of keywords like 'watch for free.'"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.