'Watch The Odyssey for free': scam sites target film fans ahead of cinema release

Cybersecurity experts are warning about a scam exploiting excitement around The Odyssey, one of this summer's most anticipated films based on Homer's ancient Greek epic. Fraudsters have created multiple fake websites claiming to offer free streaming of the movie, even though it is still showing exclusively in cinemas.

Victims encounter these sites through pop-up adverts, search engine results, or links from other webpages. To appear more convincing, the sites feature fake reviews and ratings supposedly left by satisfied viewers. Some fraudulent pages even claim to offer the film dubbed into the visitor's own language, tailored based on their location.

To "unlock" the content, visitors are asked to register by submitting their email address and full name, and are then asked for bank details, supposedly to activate a free trial. In reality, no film exists on the site — the financial information entered is captured by criminals, who can use it to steal money or launch further phishing attacks.

How to stay safe

Olga Altukhova, an analyst at cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, says consumers should be especially cautious if a recently released film still showing in cinemas suddenly appears on an unfamiliar streaming platform. She recommends only accessing content through official services and carefully checking website URLs before entering any information.

BeStreamWise, a UK campaign group raising awareness of illegal streaming risks, warns that visiting such fraudulent sites can also result in malware being installed on a device, potentially allowing hackers to remotely access or control it.

Anyone who discovers they have fallen victim to the scam is advised to contact their bank immediately, change passwords on important accounts such as banking, investment and pension services, and enable multi-factor authentication for added security.