At the start of the two sales waves for the new iPhone 18 models, the buzz has extended far beyond customers and Apple enthusiasts, scammers are also attempting to capitalize on the hype. Kaspersky experts have identified fake websites promoting nonexistent offers designed to deceive users for the new devices. These scam sites have been discovered in multiple languages, including English, Arabic, Portuguese and others.

One of the identified websites offers users the opportunity to “purchase” new devices, complete with technical specifications and a 25% discount. Among the available payment methods, customers are also encouraged to pay in Bitcoin. Its deceptively credible interface is designed to lower the guard of users, prompt them to enter personal information and transfer funds – but in reality, the only thing buyers might receive is financial loss.

Example of a fake website offering to purchase iPhone 18 Pro with Bitcoins

Another fake website invites users to pre-order iPhone 18 Pro devices in a variety of colors, including some that differ from those officially announced by the company at launch, and to select their preferred storage capacity. To make the offer even more enticing, the site claims that customers do not need to pay the full amount upfront and can supposedly settle the remaining balance later. In addition, the “seller” promises a full refund if the purchase is canceled – a claim that should not be trusted.

At the next stage, the fake website requests users’ personal information, including their full name, phone number, email address, city of residence and even their WhatsApp contact details, which may later be used by cybercriminals as part of social engineering schemes. Buyers are then asked to provide their bank card details. Ultimately, every step of the process is designed to extract as much information as possible, which may later be stolen, while victims’ bank accounts may be drained of funds.

“We have seen scam offers emerge around high-profile device launches for years.  Consumer excitement can give cybercriminals an additional advantage and improve their chances of profiting. We strongly advise users to be extremely cautious when choosing where to shop and to make purchases only through official and trusted retailers. Offers that seem too good to be true, as well as product selections that are broader than or differ from those officially announced by the company, should be treated as clear warning signs,” says Olga Altukhova, Senior Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky.

To enjoy new devices without worrying about cyberthreats, Kaspersky advises users to:

Enable multi-factor authentication and monitor accounts: activate 2FA on IDs and financial apps and regularly review statements for unauthorized activity.

Always purchase new products through official and reputable stores to avoid falling victim to fraudulent offers.

Check the authenticity of websites before entering personal data. Double-check URL formats and organizations name spellings.

Secure your payment information. Use dedicated virtual cards or a dedicated payment service for online purchases to avoid exposing your credit card or bank account information.

Use a reliable security solution such as Kaspersky Premium that blocks phishing links. To ensure advanced protection against increasingly complex cyber threats, Kaspersky actively amplifies its consumer solutions with AI-powered scam protection – a unified suite of technologies that combines machine learning-based anti-phishing algorithms, real-time behavior monitoring, accompanied by Data Leak and Identity Theft checkers.

TEAM LEWIS today announced version one of Orbital (OS1), a secure AI operating system. It is designed for multi-market organizations to connect insight, creativity, messaging and public-facing delivery.

Built by marketers for marketers, Orbital brings together data from across PR, CRM, paid media and web activity. It gives teams a clearer view of the factors shaping reputation, demand and AI visibility — and helps them respond with greater speed and confidence.

Marketing teams have access to more data than ever, but turning that information into action, fast, remains difficult. Fragmented platforms, dispersed teams and growing expectations around measurement have made it harder to see the full picture. Orbital has been developed to help close that gap.

Version one of the platform is structured around three connected areas:

Intelligence
Orbital works with each organization’s own data and context to identify the signals influencing reputation, demand and AI visibility.

Creativity
It helps teams turn insight into high-quality creative work at pace and at scale. It also keeps the judgement and originality that strong marketing needs.

Delivery
Orbital also supports the people representing an organization — from media interviews to keynote presentations and leadership moments — helping them communicate clearly and confidently.

Rather than replacing existing marketing infrastructure, Orbital is designed to work alongside it, through API integrations. Client data remains isolated within secure, enterprise-grade environments, supporting the governance and residency requirements expected by regulated industries.

Fairil Yeo, EVP of AI & Growth at TEAM LEWIS, said:

“The advantage increasingly lies with organizations that can act quickly on what they already know. Orbital is designed to shorten the distance between insight and action — helping marketing and communications teams work more effectively across markets, channels and teams.”

Yvonne van Bokhoven, Chief Operating Officer at TEAM LEWIS, added:

“Technology can connect information, but it cannot replace judgement. Orbital gives our specialists a clearer view of what matters, more quickly. The decisions — and the responsibility for making them well — remain human.”

Orbital is now available as part of TEAM LEWIS’s global offering. Its first release, Orbital OS1, establishes the foundation for an ongoing development programme, with further capabilities planned for future releases.

At a glance

• One connected system for marketing intelligence, creativity and delivery
• Uses data from PR, CRM, paid media and web activity
• Designed for complex, regulated and multi-market organizations
• Secure, enterprise-grade client environments
• Designed to complement existing marketing infrastructure
• Combines AI capabilities with specialist human judgement
• Orbital OS1 is the first release in a continuing platform roadmap

For further information, visit teamlewis.com/orbital.

Intersec Global 2027, the leading international exhibition for safety, security and resilience, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Emirates Association for Occupational Health (EACOH) to strengthen collaboration on workplace health and safety, wellbeing, and inclusion.
The agreement was signed today in Dubai, marking the start of a strategic partnership ahead of the 2027 edition, which takes place from 12 to 14 January 2027 at Dubai World Trade Centre and will bring together government officials, regulators, industry leaders, innovators, and buyers to drive commercial growth and set industry benchmarks.

Under the agreement, EACOH will lead the new Workforce Safety, Resilience & Inclusion Hub on the final day of Intersec Global, anchoring the event’s dedicated Safety & Wellbeing domain. The partnership reflects Intersec’s broader remit beyond traditional fire and security into organisational resilience, business continuity and occupational health. In turn, the dedicated show-floor feature provides EACOH with a direct platform to connect its expertise in workforce wellbeing and preventive health with an international audience of cross-sector leaders.

The Hub’s live and interactive format will showcase innovations in workforce safety, human performance and inclusive workplace design, including rapid-fire demonstrations, a Human Performance Challenge and an interactive critical infrastructure incident scenario.

Moving beyond conventional conference content, the Hub will offer hands-on, practical engagement while bringing together adaptive technologies, smart personal protective equipment (PPE), AI-driven monitoring and solutions that empower People of Determination. “Intersec Global continues to evolve in line with the changing needs of the industries it serves,” said Nathan Waugh, Portfolio Director, Security, Technology, Production at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Intersec Global 2027. “Safety, security and resilience are no longer separate conversations. They are intrinsically linked. Our partnership with EACOH and the launch of the Workforce Safety, Resilience & Inclusion Hub reflect our commitment to creating innovative, highly interactive experiences that connect stakeholders, showcase emerging solutions and help shape more resilient organisations and communities worldwide.”
Professor Dr Nahyan Helal MD, MSc, PhD, President of EACOH, added: “Workforce health, safety and wellbeing are fundamental to economic resilience and sustainable development. Across the UAE and the wider region, organisations are placing greater emphasis on preventive health, occupational safety and inclusive workplace practices. Through this partnership with Intersec Global, we have a valuable opportunity to share expertise, highlight regional priorities and engage an international audience in advancing safer, healthier and more resilient workplaces for the future.”