Chandigarh, April 5 -- Amid the surge in digital artwork inspired by Studio Ghibli animation style, Chandigarh Police have cautioned residents against cybercriminals exploiting the trend to carry out data theft, online fraud and malware attacks.

Through an advisory, Chandigarh cyber police shared 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.

The advisory also warns about phishing scams, where cybercriminals send deceptive e-mails posing as official Studio Ghibli promotions or giveaways. Victims are tricked into clicking...