- By Shibra Siddiqui
- Sat, 05 Apr 2025 12:07 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Ghibli Art Cyber Fraud: Chandigarh police have cautioned residents against scammers using the Ghibli studio style artwork trend to steal data, commit online fraud, and launch malware attacks. Releasing an advisory, Chandigarh police said that one of the most prevalent scams involved fake online shops, claiming to sell official Ghibli merchandise or exclusive fan art. These fraudulent websites often harvest personal and financial data, send counterfeit products or vanish entirely after a transaction.
In the advisory, the police have warned against phishing scams, where scammers pose as official Studio Ghibli promotions or giveaways and send deceptive emails. The criminals trick their target into clicking on links that redirect them to clone websites, resulting in identity theft or malware attacks.
A circular of malicious malware disguised as a free Ghibli digital content platform is increasing at an alarming rate. Once it is downloaded on a device, it can lock the device, access browsing data or gain illegal access to personal files.
The advisory also highlights the emergence of counterfeit artist profiles. These accounts impersonate real Ghibli fan artists to trick followers into making payments for fake commissions or to collect personal information under false pretences.
Residents have been advised to purchase Ghibli merchandise or download content only from trusted and authorised sources. Also, avoid clicking on unsolicited links or downloading free content from unverified platforms. Sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, passwords or addresses, should not be shared unless the platform is secure and verified.
