With Formula 1 returning to Sepang International Circuit from 2 to 4 October 2026 after a nine-year absence, Kaspersky is alerting the public of fake F1 merchandise websites targeting fans ahead of race weekend. Unsurprisingly, these websites are designed to steal payment details and personal information from unsuspecting buyers looking to purchase team apparel or memorabilia.
How Fake F1 Merchandise Sites Operate
The fraudulent websites identified by Kaspersky use official-looking F1 branding, images of drivers and teams, and claims of being “official” or “certified” retailers. Some are built to closely replicate established online stores, complete with product search functions, account and cart options, and claims of worldwide shipping. Once a buyer enters their personal or payment information on a fraudulent site, those details can end up with scammers – so even if you miraculously got the merch you want, chances are your bank account has been drained completely by that point.
Major events like this one often create moments when people are less likely to scrutinize, says Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky. Impulse buying is a real phenomenon, and hackers exploit this to increase their chances of stealing personal information from victims amid heightened excitement. “This makes it important for fans to pause and establish whether they are dealing with an authorized retailer before making a purchase,” Hia added.
Kaspersky advises fans to verify the authenticity of any online store before making a purchase by carefully checking URLs, brand name spelling, and whether the site is an official retailer or authorized partner. Shopping only on trusted, official platforms reduces the risk of data theft, payment fraud, or exposure of sensitive personal information.
Using a reliable security solution that can detect malicious pages and block phishing attempts is also recommended. Additionally, enabling transaction alerts on bank accounts and regularly reviewing statements for unauthorized activity can help catch any fraudulent charges early.
Pokdepinion: Cybercriminals love a big event, so double-check that F1 merch site before your wallet takes the chequered flag.
