How Cybercriminals Are Taking Advantage of COVID-19: Scams, Fraud, and Misinformation

This report outlines how cybercriminals exploited the COVID-19 pandemic through phishing and social-engineering campaigns, malicious and fraudulent domains, the sale of counterfeit medical goods, and the spread of misinformation; it documents active malware distribution (Emotet, Trickbot) using pandemic-themed lures, provides geographic examples (Japan, Italy, UK), and recommends defensive measures such as relying on official health sources, avoiding unsolicited links or purchases, and using fact-checking tools.