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When Disaster Strikes, Cybercriminals Follow: The Persistent Threat of Disaster-Themed Fraud Campaigns

Jul 6, 2026 2:47:54 PM / by The Hivemind posted in Threat Bulletin, Phishing Campaigns, disaster phishing, charity fraud, natural disaster cyber threats, disaster-themed cyber campaigns, fake charities, cyber fraud

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Executive Summary

Natural disasters create opportunities not only for emergency responders and humanitarian organizations to do good, but also for cybercriminals seeking to exploit public fear, urgency, and generosity. Following the June 2026 Venezuela earthquake, researchers observed hundreds of newly registered disaster-themed domains, highlighting how quickly threat actors and opportunistic scammers can capitalize on breaking events. This activity reflects a broader pattern observed after major disasters worldwide, where fraudulent websites, phishing campaigns, and fake charities emerge alongside legitimate relief efforts, complicating efforts to distinguish trusted resources from malicious infrastructure.

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