Nine years after F1 last raced at Sepang International Circuit, its return from 2 to 4 October 2026 is putting the race back in the spotlight for Malaysian fans. As excitement builds ahead of race weekend, Kaspersky experts have identified fake websites impersonating F1 merchandise stores, where attempts to purchase team apparel or memorabilia could result in financial loss and the exposure of personal information.Example of a fake website offering F1 merchandise
These websites use F1 branding as well as images of drivers and teams, with claims of “official” or “certified” merchandise to resemble legitimate retailers. Some sites are designed to replicate the appearance of an established online store, complete with product searches, account and cart options and claims of worldwide shipping.
The risk begins at checkout, when personal or payment information is entered. Once submitted through a fraudulent website, these details could fall into the hands of scammers, while payments may be processed without merchandise being delivered.
“Major events can create moments when people are less likely to scrutinise, particularly when they come across favourite teams, drivers or merchandise they want to buy. Cybercriminals rely on this shift in attention, where recognition and excitement can take the place of verification. This makes it important for fans to pause and establish whether they are dealing with an authorised retailer before making a purchase,” said Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky.
To avoid falling victim to fake F1 merchandise stores, Kaspersky advises users to:
● Verify the authenticity of online stores before making a purchase. Always double-check URLs, spelling of brand names and whether the site is the official retailer or an authorised partner.
● Shop only on trusted, reputable official platforms to reduce the risk of data theft, payment fraud, or exposure of sensitive information.
● Use a reliable security solution that can detect malicious pages and block phishing attempts.
● Monitor payment activity. Enable transaction alerts where available and regularly review bank statements for unauthorised transactions.