Kuala Lumpur, October 27, 2026: Kaspersky has issued a warning about the proliferation of fraudulent Formula 1 merchandise websites as the Sepang International Circuit prepares to host its first F1 race in nine years from October 2 to 4, 2026. The cybersecurity firm said these fake online stores are targeting fans seeking team apparel and memorabilia, risking financial loss and exposure of personal information.
The company’s experts have identified websites that mimic official F1 retailers by using branding, images of drivers and teams, and claims of “official” or “certified” merchandise. Some of these sites closely replicate established online stores, offering product searches, account creation, cart options, and promises of worldwide shipping.
Risks of fake F1 merchandise sites
Kaspersky noted that the primary risk arises at the checkout stage, where users entering personal or payment details may unwittingly hand them over to scammers. Payments made on these sites may be processed without any merchandise being delivered, leading to both financial and data loss.
Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky, said major events can make fans less likely to scrutinise online offers, as excitement and recognition of favourite teams or drivers can override caution. He emphasised the importance of verifying whether a retailer is authorised before making purchases.
Advice for online shoppers
Kaspersky recommended several steps to avoid falling victim to these scams: verifying the authenticity of online stores by checking URLs and brand name spellings, shopping only on trusted official platforms, using reliable security solutions to detect malicious pages and block phishing, and monitoring payment activity through transaction alerts and regular bank statement reviews.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a press release provided by the concerned organisation and has been edited for style and clarity with the assistance of AI tools. BusinessFortnight does not verify, endorse, or take responsibility for the claims, figures, or statements made in the original release.
