As Apple opened preorders for the new iPhone 17, Kaspersky reported a surge in scams exploiting the launch hype. Fraudsters are using fake websites, bogus lotteries, and sham “tester” recruitment schemes to steal personal data and financial details, posing serious risks of identity theft and financial loss.

One scam involves counterfeit websites designed to mimic Apple’s official store, enticing users with “preorders before it sells out” but capturing bank card information during checkout.

Fraudsters are also promoting fake lotteries promising free iPhones, where participants must complete surveys, provide personal information such as emails and phone numbers, and pay a service or delivery fee. To boost credibility, these pages even feature fabricated feedback from supposed winners claiming to have received their “prizes.”

Another scheme advertises “tester” opportunities for the iPhone 17, targeting tech-savvy users willing to provide contact details and shipping addresses. Victims are charged a delivery fee in exchange for early access units that never arrive, often resulting in spam or phishing attacks.

“Cybercriminals thrive on the excitement of major product launches, turning consumer enthusiasm into a gateway for data breaches. We’ve seen these tactics evolve from crude phishing to highly polished sites that can look authentic. Users must prioritise verification over impulse to stay safe and avoid falling victim to these opportunistic threats,” comments Tatyana Shcherbakova, web content analyst at Kaspersky.

To help users stay protected against these scams, Kaspersky advises:

• Buy only from official sources such as Apple’s website, verified carriers, or authorized retailers.

• Verify URLs, avoid unsolicited offers, and ignore emails, texts, or ads promising deals or prizes.

• Never share sensitive data for “freebies” — legitimate contests rarely require card or address details upfront.

• Enable two-factor authentication on Apple ID and financial apps, and regularly monitor account activity.

Priority Pass has launched Priority Pass Private, a luxury full-service airport experience aimed at high-net-worth (HNW) travellers, with initial rollout across more than 70 airports in Europe and the Middle East.

The invitation-only product is designed for businesses such as private banks and wealth managers to reward top-tier clients.

It offers access to private terminals, expedited check-in and security, immigration fast-track, VIP lounges, gourmet dining and direct-to-aircraft boarding.

Priority Pass Private available across 76 airports

The service is available at 76 airports in over 30 countries, including hubs in London, Dubai, Paris, Los Angeles, Singapore, Zurich, Shanghai and Geneva.

Coverage spans six Middle Eastern countries – the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon and Turkey – with access to private terminals in Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah.

“In today’s evolving world of luxury travel, the most discerning and high-net-worth (HNW) travellers expect more than a seamless airport experience; they value time, privacy and exclusivity,” said Christopher Evans, CEO of Collinson International, which owns and operates Priority Pass. “Priority Pass Private was created to meet this need, transforming time in transit into time well spent.”

Chris Ross, chief brand officer at Collinson, added: “Priority Pass redefined what premium travel looks like. Now, with Priority Pass Private, we’re once again raising the bar, delivering an experience that truly elevates the airport journey.”

The company said the launch is the first phase of a broader global expansion plan for Priority Pass Private.

Turkish police have detained 14 people in an investigation into suspected manipulation of transactions on the country’s main stock exchange, Anadolu news agency reported on Tuesday.

It said staff from local investment firm Investco Holding INVES.IS were among those detained. Investco’s shares plunged 10 per cent in early trade.

Prosecutors have determined that there were unnatural increases in trading volumes and share prices on Borsa Istanbul, causing losses to small investors, the state-owned agency reported, citing a prosecutors’ statement.

They also found that proceeds from those trades were laundered in violation of the country’s capital markets law, Anadolu said.

Investco representatives were not immediately available to comment when contacted by Reuters.

Prosecutor statements are regularly released via Anadolu.

Al Huzaifa, long celebrated for craftsmanship, precision, and five decades of excellence in furniture and interiors, has officially expanded into real estate with the launch of Al Huzaifa Properties. The brand’s first development, Soléva Beach Residences on Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, valued at Dhs450m, has now been unveiled to the public. The fully furnished residences are scheduled for completion by Q4 2027.

From furniture to interiors and now real estate, Al Huzaifa continues its legacy of design-led delivery built on skill, material expertise, and premium design. With the launch of Al Huzaifa Properties, the “World of Huzaifa” now extends into shaping signature residential experiences.

Saif Nensey, CEO of Al Huzaifa Furniture and CEO & founder of Al Huzaifa Properties, said: “We are proud to bring Al Huzaifa’s legacy of craftsmanship, precision, and refined design into real estate with the launch of Soléva Beach Residences. The process from concept to detailing to the finish has been brought to life under one roof, allowing us full control of our vision and prioritising quality in every stage of execution. This project embodies our commitment to creating residences that combine luxury, comfort, and a deep connection to nature, while fostering a sense of community. Soléva represents a new benchmark for holistic living, where architecture, interiors, and amenities come together to set the standard for premium lifestyle experiences in the UAE.”

The development will include 232 residences—111 studios, 101 one-bedroom apartments, and 20 two-bedroom apartments—all with private pools. Designed with flowing forms inspired by the island’s natural curves, Soléva combines architectural elegance with functional luxury. Residences will feature floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, and fully furnished interiors crafted with custom joinery, natural stone, wood accents, and premium fixtures. Prices start from Dhs1.19m, with a 50/50 payment plan during construction and handover.

Zaheer Rattonsey, managing partner at Al Huzaifa Properties, commented: “Our venture into real estate at Marjan Island is the proud culmination of decades of design excellence. This project is entirely conceived, designed, and delivered in-house, giving us unparalleled control over quality, speed, and customization. It is an offering that will be hard to match—bringing together timeless design, faster delivery, and bespoke detailing. More than just a development, it represents a new dimension to the UAE’s lifestyle, while ensuring exceptional value and strong ROI for our buyers and investors.”

Resort-style amenities will include wellness-focused features such as cryo cabins, thermal suites, massage rooms, saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzis, a state-of-the-art fitness studio, outdoor yoga decks, and a Zen Garden. Rooftop infinity pools with floating daybeds, fire pit lounges, and dining courtyards will provide panoramic Gulf views. Hospitality-inspired services include valet, AI-powered concierge, coworking lounges, a water sports pavilion, and seamless park and beach access.

Soléva is also the UAE’s first residential project to introduce an Owner’s SuperApp, offering residents on-demand services, amenity bookings, and vacation rental management in one platform.

The development brings together global and regional expertise: architecture by VELA, landscaping by Square M Design, lighting by Studio Lumen, and interiors by MWM Studio.

Set within Ras Al Khaimah’s fast-growing investment hub, Soléva Beach Residences aligns with the emirate’s vision to triple visitor numbers by 2030. In 2024, Ras Al Khaimah recorded 1.28 million visitors, with tourism revenues rising 12 per cent year-on-year, supported by a GDP of Dhs14bn and thriving industries including real estate, tourism, and logistics.

Technology giant HP said on Monday that cyber attackers are refining age-old phishing and “living-off-the-land” (LOTL) techniques to bypass traditional detection tools, using highly polished fake PDF invoices and hidden malware in image files, according to its latest Threat Insights Report.

LOTL techniques, where attackers exploit legitimate tools and features built into Windows systems, have long been part of cybercriminals’ playbooks.

But HP researchers said increasingly complex campaigns using multiple, often uncommon binaries are making it harder to distinguish malicious activity from legitimate operations.

From fake PDF invoices to embedded malicious code: what fraudsters are using now

The report highlighted a new wave of sophisticated social engineering lures. In one campaign, attackers embedded a reverse shell in a small SVG image disguised as a realistic Adobe Acrobat Reader invoice, complete with a fake loading bar to trick users. The downloads were geo-fenced to German-speaking regions to hinder automated analysis and delay detection.

Other attacks involved hiding malicious code in Microsoft Compiled HTML Help files within image pixels, which were used to execute multi-step infection chains with LOTL tools like PowerShell and CMD scripts that erased traces of the attack.

Read: UAE cyber body warns of rising breaches linked to public wi‑fi use

HP also observed the resurgent Lumma Stealer malware spreading via IMG archive files, continuing operations despite a law enforcement crackdown in May.

“Attackers aren’t reinventing the wheel, but they are refining their techniques,” said Alex Holland, Principal Threat Researcher at HP Security Lab. “We’re seeing more chaining of living-off-the-land tools and use of less obvious file types, such as images, to evade detection. Take reverse shells – a simple script can achieve the same effect as a full RAT, slipping under the radar.”

HP said these campaigns illustrate the increasing creativity and adaptability of threat actors, who tailor attacks to regions and exploit trusted system tools to avoid detection.

The company said its HP Wolf Security platform allows malware to detonate safely in isolated containers, giving insight into evolving attack methods without endangering customers.

According to the report, data from April-June showed that at least 13 per cent of email threats bypassed one or more email gateway scanners.

Archive files were the most popular delivery type (40 per cent), followed by executables and scripts (35 per cent). Attackers increasingly used .rar files, leveraging trusted software like WinRAR to avoid suspicion.

Living off the land techniques pose challenges

“Living off the land techniques are notoriously difficult for security teams because it’s hard to tell legitimate activity from attacks,” said Dr Ian Pratt, global head of Security for Personal Systems at HP. “Even the best detection will miss some threats, so defense-in-depth with containment and isolation is essential to trap attacks before they can cause harm.”

The HP report analysed data from consenting HP Wolf Security customers between April and June this year.