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Valentine's Day is approaching, and those planning to skip roses for digital gift cards should double-check their links
Kaspersky flagged a surge in malicious campaigns targeting people seeking digital gifts this 14 February.
A November 2025 survey found that 87% of Malaysian respondents consider digital presents, such as gaming credits or subscriptions, as suitable gifts.
Scammers are now capitalising on this trend by creating fake verification portals that appear legitimate.
One scheme involves a fake 'secure' system to check a card's balance. Instead of assisting, the portal steals identification data and drains the card immediately.
Cybercriminals are also spoofing major platforms like Amazon to catch shoppers off guard. One fake site offered a USD200 (RM782) gift card, but clicking the 'Get' button triggered a backdoor installer.
This allows hackers to take remote control of your device.
Kaspersky warns that when a fake site mimics a store perfectly, it becomes nearly impossible to differentiate them without technical help
"The best defence is to stick to well-known retailers, check URLs carefully, and apply a security solution with advanced phishing detection," said Kaspersky lead web content analyst Anton Yatsenko.
