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    <channel><title>Bitdefender Labs</title><description>Daily source of cyber-threat information. Established 2001.</description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/labs/</link><image><url>https://download.bitdefender.com/resources/images/favicon/favicon-32x32.png</url><title>Bitdefender Labs</title><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/labs/</link></image><generator>Bitdefender Blog</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 05:53:11 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.bitdefender.com/nuxt/api/en-au/rss/labs/scam-research/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><ttl>1800</ttl><item><title>Inside APAC's malvertising ecosystem: How scams spread through social media ads</title><description><![CDATA[Bitdefender Labs has uncovered a large-scale malvertising ecosystem operating across APAC, where scam campaigns are distributed through paid advertising on Meta platforms and quickly generate massive reach.


Key takeaways

 * Bitdefender Labs identified 12,000 scam campaigns across 13 APAC countries
 * These campaigns generated more than 400,000 ad sightings through paid ads on Meta platforms
 * Health and finance are the leading scam categories, together accounting for 37.3% of all campaigns
 ]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/labs/inside-the-apac-malvertising-ecosystem</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a13fd58a89a0404d6eab701</guid><category><![CDATA[Scam Research]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 23:30:18 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/labs/content/images/2026/06/APAC.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Bitdefender Labs has uncovered a large-scale malvertising ecosystem operating across APAC, where scam campaigns are distributed through paid advertising on Meta platforms and quickly generate massive reach.


Key takeaways

 * Bitdefender Labs identified 12,000 scam campaigns across 13 APAC countries
 * These campaigns generated more than 400,000 ad sightings through paid ads on Meta platforms
 * Health and finance are the leading scam categories, together accounting for 37.3% of all campaigns
 ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Football Fever Fuels Scam Campaigns Across Email and Social Media</title><description><![CDATA[Football fans are increasingly targeted by scams exploiting club loyalty, national teams, football collectibles, streaming demand, and the growing excitement around the FIFA World Cup 2026, according to Bitdefender Labs.

Our most recent investigation uncovered more than 55 football-related malvertising campaigns targeting users through fake online stores, social media ads, IPTV piracy operations, fraudulent football apps, and FIFA-themed giveaway and lottery scams distributed through email.


K]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/labs/football-fever-fuels-scam-campaigns-across-email-and-social-media</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a13fba6a89a0404d6eab6e6</guid><category><![CDATA[Scam Research]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 12:56:33 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/labs/content/images/2026/05/world-cup-scams.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Football fans are increasingly targeted by scams exploiting club loyalty, national teams, football collectibles, streaming demand, and the growing excitement around the FIFA World Cup 2026, according to Bitdefender Labs.

Our most recent investigation uncovered more than 55 football-related malvertising campaigns targeting users through fake online stores, social media ads, IPTV piracy operations, fraudulent football apps, and FIFA-themed giveaway and lottery scams distributed through email.


K]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Operation Road Trap: Fake toll and parking texts are spreading worldwide</title><description><![CDATA[A new mass smishing campaign uncovered by Bitdefender Labs shows that scammers are sending tens of thousands of fraudulent text messages to mobile users across 12 countries, impersonating transport authorities, toll operators, and parking services.


Key takeaways

 * Since December 2025, Bitdefender Labs researchers have been tracking smishing campaigns targeting drivers on a global scale. The scam campaigns are still active as of April 2026
 * Over 79,000 fraudulent messages have already been ]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/labs/operation-road-trap</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ef1512a89a0404d6eab57d</guid><category><![CDATA[Scam Research]]></category><dc:creator>Alecsandru Cătălin DAJ</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:55:10 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/labs/content/images/2026/04/Operation-Road-Trap-Fake-toll---parking-text-scams-on-the-rise.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[A new mass smishing campaign uncovered by Bitdefender Labs shows that scammers are sending tens of thousands of fraudulent text messages to mobile users across 12 countries, impersonating transport authorities, toll operators, and parking services.


Key takeaways

 * Since December 2025, Bitdefender Labs researchers have been tracking smishing campaigns targeting drivers on a global scale. The scam campaigns are still active as of April 2026
 * Over 79,000 fraudulent messages have already been ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Global Scam Machines: Inside a Meta-Powered Investment Fraud Ecosystem Spanning 25 Countries</title><description><![CDATA[In February-March 2026, Bitdefender Labs identified and mapped a sprawling global scam infrastructure and scalable disinformation-for-profit network that uses trusted news brands, real personalities, fabricated media narratives, emotional hooks, and advanced evasion techniques to drive victims into investment fraud funnels.

On February 9-March 5, 2026, we analyzed 310 malvertising campaigns distributed through paid advertising on Meta platforms.


Key findings:

 * This is a global, coordinated]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/labs/global-investment-scam-network-using-meta-ads</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a97b63a89a0404d6eab38e</guid><category><![CDATA[Scam Research]]></category><dc:creator>Alecsandru Cătălin DAJ</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:06:14 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/labs/content/images/2026/03/global-scam-machines.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[In February-March 2026, Bitdefender Labs identified and mapped a sprawling global scam infrastructure and scalable disinformation-for-profit network that uses trusted news brands, real personalities, fabricated media narratives, emotional hooks, and advanced evasion techniques to drive victims into investment fraud funnels.

On February 9-March 5, 2026, we analyzed 310 malvertising campaigns distributed through paid advertising on Meta platforms.


Key findings:

 * This is a global, coordinated]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Active Subscription Scam Campaigns Flooding the Internet</title><description><![CDATA[Bitdefender researchers have uncovered a surge in subscription scams, both in scale and sophistication, spurred by a massive campaign involving hundreds of fraudulent websites.

What sets this campaign apart is the significant investment cybercriminals have undertaken to make these fake sites look convincingly legitimate.  

Gone are the days when a suspicious email, SMS, or basic phishing link could easily fool users. As people grow more cautious and cyber-aware, scammers are stepping up their ]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/labs/active-subscription-scam-campaigns-flooding-the-internet</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6810e6e8d38c8a0502eefa55</guid><category><![CDATA[Scam Research]]></category><dc:creator>Răzvan GOSA</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2025 13:02:00 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/labs/content/images/2025/04/advanced_persistent_threats.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Bitdefender researchers have uncovered a surge in subscription scams, both in scale and sophistication, spurred by a massive campaign involving hundreds of fraudulent websites.

What sets this campaign apart is the significant investment cybercriminals have undertaken to make these fake sites look convincingly legitimate.  

Gone are the days when a suspicious email, SMS, or basic phishing link could easily fool users. As people grow more cautious and cyber-aware, scammers are stepping up their ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Deep Dive on Supplement Scams: How AI Drives ‘Miracle Cures’ and Sponsored Health-Related Scams on Social Media</title><description><![CDATA[Sponsored social media content has become increasingly present on feeds. Sponsored ads can often be beneficial as they are customized to suit online personas, offering relevant content tailored specifically for you. While personalized ads can help enhance your online experience, not all are legitimate. In fact, scams originating from phony ads on social media have increased dramatically, with potentially severe consequences for consumers.


Sponsored supplement scams on social media platforms


]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/labs/deep-dive-on-supplement-scams-how-ai-drives-miracle-cures-and-sponsored-health-related-scams-on-social-media</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66d5c3d2d0ec1aefc7d722d1</guid><category><![CDATA[Scam Research]]></category><dc:creator>Ionut Alexandru BALTARIU</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 10 Jul 2024 13:00:00 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/labs/content/images/2024/07/pexels-pixabay-161688.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Sponsored social media content has become increasingly present on feeds. Sponsored ads can often be beneficial as they are customized to suit online personas, offering relevant content tailored specifically for you. While personalized ads can help enhance your online experience, not all are legitimate. In fact, scams originating from phony ads on social media have increased dramatically, with potentially severe consequences for consumers.


Sponsored supplement scams on social media platforms


]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>AI meets next-gen info stealers in social media malvertising campaigns</title><description><![CDATA[The impact that AI has on society has steadily crept into the darkest nooks and crannies of the internet. So much so that cybercrooks are hitching free rides on the AI bandwagon by leveraging the increased demand of AI-powered software for content creators.

Cybercriminal groups constantly adapt their operating methods and tools to stay a step ahead of potential victims. Highly focused on enhancing their deceptive practices, threat actors have, unfortunately, found a most reliable and powerful a]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/labs/ai-meets-next-gen-info-stealers-in-social-media-malvertising-campaigns</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66d5c3d2d0ec1aefc7d722cd</guid><category><![CDATA[Anti-Malware Research]]></category><category><![CDATA[Scam Research]]></category><dc:creator>Nicolae POSTOLACHI</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2024 13:00:00 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/labs/content/images/2024/04/malvertising-campaigns-Bitdefender-Labs.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[The impact that AI has on society has steadily crept into the darkest nooks and crannies of the internet. So much so that cybercrooks are hitching free rides on the AI bandwagon by leveraging the increased demand of AI-powered software for content creators.

Cybercriminal groups constantly adapt their operating methods and tools to stay a step ahead of potential victims. Highly focused on enhancing their deceptive practices, threat actors have, unfortunately, found a most reliable and powerful a]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sponsored Ad Fraud: Mystery Box Scams Flood Social Media</title><description><![CDATA[Social media platforms are overflowing with scams.

In the past couple of months, Bitdefender Labs has been monitoring a steep increase in fraudulent social media ads on Facebook promoting various swindles ranging from crypto-doubling to AI-generated celebrity-endorsed giveaways.

Our latest analysis has spotted a consistent trend, with fraudsters continuing to exploit Meta’s ad system to deceive consumers.

The hustle? A long-established ruse that involves peddling so-called mystery boxes from ]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-au/blog/labs/sponsored-ad-fraud-mystery-box-scams-flood-social-media</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66d5c3d2d0ec1aefc7d722cc</guid><category><![CDATA[Scam Research]]></category><dc:creator>Andrei ANTON-AANEI</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 29 Feb 2024 14:00:00 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/labs/content/images/2024/02/Sponsored-Ad-Fraud-Mystery-Box-Scams-Flood-Social-Media.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[Social media platforms are overflowing with scams.

In the past couple of months, Bitdefender Labs has been monitoring a steep increase in fraudulent social media ads on Facebook promoting various swindles ranging from crypto-doubling to AI-generated celebrity-endorsed giveaways.

Our latest analysis has spotted a consistent trend, with fraudsters continuing to exploit Meta’s ad system to deceive consumers.

The hustle? A long-established ruse that involves peddling so-called mystery boxes from ]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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