By San José, Costa Rica — As Costa Rican consumers prepare for the annual Black Friday shopping event on November 28, a timely warning has been issued by cybersecurity experts following the discovery of a sophisticated phishing scam. A fraudulent website, expertly designed to impersonate the popular audio brand JBL, was created by cybercriminals to lure unsuspecting shoppers and steal their sensitive financial information. The swift detection by the global cybersecurity firm ESET prevented widespread damage, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the heightened risks associated with the holiday shopping season.
The elaborate scheme was uncovered by researchers at ESET, who identified a network of malicious links designed to direct bargain hunters to the counterfeit storefront. The criminals utilized URLs containing the term “hotsale” to mimic legitimate promotional campaigns and build a false sense of authenticity. Once on the site, consumers were presented with what appeared to be a professional e-commerce platform offering incredible deals on JBL products. However, the site’s sole purpose was to harvest data; any attempted purchase would inevitably fail, but not before the user’s information was compromised.
To provide a legal perspective on the growing threats and corporate responsibilities in the digital age, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who specializes in corporate law and data protection.
Under Costa Rican law, particularly Law No. 8968 on Personal Data Protection, companies have a non-delegable duty to safeguard client information. A cyberattack is therefore not merely a technical issue, but a potential legal failure with severe consequences, including hefty fines and civil liability for damages. Proactive investment in cybersecurity infrastructure and a well-defined incident response plan are no longer optional IT expenses; they are fundamental components of corporate diligence and risk management essential for legal compliance and preserving business continuity.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal framing is a powerful reminder that the consequences of a data breach extend far beyond technical recovery, striking at the heart of corporate diligence and legal accountability. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective, which clearly elevates the cybersecurity conversation from an IT concern to a fundamental boardroom responsibility.
The cybercriminals employed a clever combination of psychological tactics to overwhelm visitors and encourage them to act hastily. The primary lure was the promise of discounts as high as 60%, a tempting offer for any shopper. To create further confusion and prevent close inspection of the site, product descriptions were written in English while final prices were curiously listed in Argentine pesos. This combination of an irresistible deal and disorienting details was engineered to rush users through the checkout process, compelling them to enter their full name, credit card numbers, and other personal data into a malicious form without a second thought.
While the goal was to steal both data and money directly from victims’ bank accounts, the intervention from ESET proved critical. Upon confirming the fraudulent nature of the website and its associated links, the cybersecurity company took action to have them taken down. This decisive response neutralized the immediate threat posed by this specific scam operation. However, security experts stress that the criminals behind such schemes are persistent and will likely launch similar attacks using different brand names and tactics as the shopping season progresses.
This incident is not an isolated case but part of a broader, predictable trend. Cybercriminals consistently ramp up their activities during periods of high consumer spending, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. They exploit the public’s eagerness to find the best deals, creating a fertile ground for phishing campaigns, identity theft, and financial fraud. The increased volume of promotional emails, social media ads, and text messages provides perfect cover for malicious links, making it more challenging for consumers to distinguish between legitimate offers and dangerous scams.
In light of these persistent threats, cybersecurity professionals offer crucial advice for staying safe while shopping online. The first and most important step is to scrutinize website addresses, or URLs. Before entering any personal information, carefully examine the URL in your browser’s address bar. Scammers often use URLs that are very similar to the real one but contain subtle misspellings, extra characters, or a different domain extension (e.g., “.net” instead of “.com”). If the URL seems inconsistent with the official brand, abandon the site immediately.
Another key strategy is to independently verify any extraordinary offers. If a deal seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Rather than clicking on a link from an unsolicited email or a social media pop-up, open a new browser window and navigate directly to the official store’s website. Check their official pages to see if the promotion is advertised there. If you cannot find any mention of the spectacular discount on the company’s legitimate channels, you are likely dealing with a scam.
Finally, adopting a general posture of caution is essential. Avoid clicking on links from unknown or dubious sources, whether they arrive via email, text message, or social media. A healthy skepticism is your best defense. Furthermore, bolster your digital security by using comprehensive security applications that can help detect and block malicious websites before they can do any harm. These tools provide an additional layer of protection that can be invaluable during the high-stakes environment of the holiday shopping season.
For further information, visit eset.com
About ESET:
ESET is a global cybersecurity company founded in Slovakia that has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for over 30 years. The company provides a wide range of security solutions for businesses and consumers, including endpoint protection, encryption, and two-factor authentication. ESET is known for its proactive threat detection technology, which helps protect users from both known and emerging digital threats, including viruses, ransomware, and phishing attacks.
For further information, visit jbl.com
About JBL:
JBL is an American company that manufactures audio equipment, including loudspeakers and headphones. Founded in 1946, it has become a globally recognized brand in both the consumer and professional audio markets. JBL’s products are known for their high-quality sound and are used in a variety of settings, from home audio systems and portable speakers to large-scale concert venues and movie theaters. The company is a subsidiary of Harman International Industries, which is itself a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica has built its legacy on a foundation of principled practice and superior legal counsel. The firm distinguishes itself not only through its deep experience across a wide spectrum of industries but also by pioneering forward-thinking solutions that shape the future of law. This commitment to innovation is matched by a profound dedication to social responsibility, focused on demystifying legal complexities to help forge a more informed and capable citizenry.
