Stop, cut: how scammers use pirated copies of movies and TV series
Fraudsters can use users' interest in free pirated content to deceive them, experts have warned about this. The attention of viewers to the release of long-awaited films and TV series allows attackers to attract potential victims to their sites, and then infect their gadgets with viruses or involve them in other high-tech fraudulent schemes. For more information about how scammers use pirated copies of films and TV series in their schemes, see the Izvestia article.
Why are pirated movies and TV series interesting to scammers?
The topic of pirated films and TV series is extremely interesting to scammers because of several key factors related to the behavior and desires of users, Marina Probets, an Internet analyst and expert at Gazinformservice, says in an interview with Izvestia.
"Among them is a huge and constantly growing audience seeking access to new movies and television for free or before the official release, which creates an ideal ground for the spread of malicious software," says the specialist.
According to Marina Probets, the desire to watch a "leak" or a fresh episode of a popular TV series often turns out to be stronger than the common sense and caution of users, forcing them to click on suspicious links or download questionable files. Illegal downloading and watching movies are very popular on Runet, which scammers use disguised as well-known platforms, adds Alexander Samsonov, a leading expert at the Security Code development and testing department.
Instead of coveted videos, attackers can send archives containing executable files. Carelessness, gullibility, or ignorance can lead to the user launching them and infecting the device with a virus, which can lead to data loss, theft of personal information, or system damage.
What schemes of scammers with pirated content can we expect in 2025?
In 2025-2026, we should expect an increase in phishing cases through videos and websites generated using artificial intelligence (AI), says Yana Avezova, senior analyst at Positive Technologies, in an interview with Izvestia. With the help of AI, attackers can fake reviews, create realistic trailers, cut scenes, and even fake streaming services.
"Such materials will look even more convincing than before, which will reduce the critical perception of users and simplify the spread of phishing schemes," says the expert. — We predict progress in the personalization of attacks: schemes will take into account preferences in genres and franchises for a particular user, language preferences, behavior and the degree of involvement in thematic communities.
With the growing popularity of AI translations, websites and bots will appear, allegedly creating subtitles for new movies, notes Yana Avezova. For example, victims may be asked to install an AI translator that will actually download malware to the victim's device.
The level of fraud in Telegram communities will also increase: fake channels, chat rooms, and bots may promise access to "leaked" movies and TV series, but in reality they collect data or distribute malicious links. The activity of intruders in messengers is growing, because it is easier to bypass antiviruses and filtering systems here than on regular websites, the expert says.
— In addition, QR phishing is expected to increase through posters and banners, - adds Yana Avezova. — A poster or banner contains a call to watch a new or exclusive product and a QR code that supposedly leads to a site where a pirated copy of the content is posted. In fact, the code leads to a phishing page with registration forms, payment card data entry, and other information needed by fraudsters.
What schemes of scammers with pirated content have you encountered before?
During the pandemic and lockdown, more than 700 fake websites were discovered imitating the registration pages of Netflix and Disney+, Maria Mikhailova, head of the Angara SOC brand protection group, told Izvestia. Through the authorization forms on the websites, fraudsters stole names, addresses, and credit card information for financial and other benefits.
—In March 2023, ChromeLoader was distributed through a network of malicious websites that promised free downloads of copyrighted music, movies, and video games," says the specialist. — It forcibly installed a browser extension that displayed intrusive ads, faked search results, and led to sites with "prize giveaways," surveys, dating sites, and other irrelevant results.
According to Maria Mikhailova, there have also been cases when password theft extensions, document theft software and cryptocurrencies, keyloggers and even Trojans were distributed in files with movie subtitles when downloading pirated films and TV series.
— Last winter, there were scam resources, including in Russian, where it was supposedly offered to watch films nominated for an Oscar this year for free (in particular, it was about the films Conclave, Anora, Evil and Brutalist), — says senior content- Kaspersky Lab analyst Olga Altukhova. — However, on such sites, people only risked losing money and compromising their data.
And in March 2025, a major malware distribution campaign was discovered under the guise of a pirated version of the movie "Snow White," adds Yana Avezova. The victim was asked to download an archive containing the file README.txt and the app xmph_codec.exe . The instructions stated that the video would not be played without installing this "codec". In fact, it was a trick — the launched file installed malware on the user's device.
How to protect yourself from fraud schemes with pirated content?
Fraud schemes related to pirated content are primarily aimed at fans and a young audience seeking to save money on watching movies and TV series, says Maria Mikhailova. Scammers rely on those who easily install software without checking, ignore browser or antivirus warnings, do not check links, and launch "batch archives" indiscriminately.
"In such schemes, fraudsters can not only gain access to personal information and bank card data, but also monitor the victim," the Izvestia interlocutor notes. — In particular, if an infection occurs on a work device, it can lead to leakage of corporate information, compromise of mail systems, documents and networks.
In order to protect yourself from fraud schemes related to pirated films and TV series, you should first use legal services to view video content, says Evgeny Egorov, a leading analyst at the Digital Risk Protection department at F6.
The head of BI also urges all active consumers of video content to be careful.Dmitry Kiryushkin, ZONE Brand Protection, because the consequences of such fraudulent schemes can be different: from losing money to infecting devices with malware.
— Avoid suspicious links and do not enter personal information on questionable sites, as well as check the spelling of page addresses and pay attention to the appearance of files and resources that you go to, — concludes the expert. — Do not ignore the warnings of security systems and use multi-factor authentication.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
