'Watch The Odyssey for free online': scam targets film fans with fake streaming sites

The Guardian warns film fans about a wave of fake streaming sites piggybacking on the summer’s biggest release, a much-acclaimed adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey. The scam works the same way each time: an advert promises the film free online, the site shows glowing reviews, and a “free trial” sign-up asks for bank details — which is unusual for anything genuinely free. There is no film to watch, the reviews are fake, and the bank details go straight to criminals.

The danger does not end with one stolen payment. The campaign body BeStreamWise cautions that people who hand over personal details risk malware infections, money taken from their accounts, and being targeted again by future phishing scams. Criminals move fast around every major release, setting up lookalike sites in several languages.

The simplest rule of thumb is timing: if a film is still showing in cinemas and someone offers it for streaming, treat that as a warning sign. For anyone tempted, the safest path remains the box office or waiting for the legitimate streaming release.