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Cyber crooks fly ahead with South Africa world cup scam

It may be a year and a half before the world cup heads to South Africa but this has not prevented cyber crooks from trying to exploit the global event, it has emerged.

Online security experts have revealed that potential victims are receiving fake messages alleging that the recipients have won an online sweepstakes programme related to South Africa FIFA World Cup.

The said messages come with instructions about how the "winners" can claim their coveted prize by contacting "claim agents" with details such as age, gender and their contact details, says Trend Micro.

"Of course, if users fall for this scam, they will receive no certain amount of cash–but actually be stolen from," warns the online security firm. "This is an obvious example of social engineering method applied by the criminals."

Cyber crooks routinely use high profile events such as this to expose internet users to online threats. Similar scams were reported during the Beijing Olympic Games and even the Burma earthquake.

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