India, Nov. 28 -- Shoppers rushing to grab Black Friday discounts are now facing a growing online threat. Cybersecurity researchers report a sharp rise in fake shopping websites that copy major brands and divert users into scams. These platforms surface during peak sale periods and push buyers into sharing payment and personal details without realising they are on fraudulent pages.

CloudSEK, a cybersecurity firm tracking the trend, says it found more than 2,000 such websites ahead of this year's Black Friday sale. These sites mirror real online stores with banners, countdowns, and fabricated reviews. The layout aims to create urgency and push buyers into quick purchases. Once shoppers enter their details, attackers siphon the information...