Ethereum (ETH) Giveaway Scam – What You Need To Know
Written by: Stelian Pilici
Published on:
Cryptocurrency scams are becoming increasingly common as digital currencies gain popularity. One such scam is the Ethereum Giveaway scam, which aims to trick unsuspecting individuals into transferring Ethereum (ETH) to scammers. These scams are often promoted on platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and through deceptive advertisements or unwanted applications. This article will discuss the Ethereum Giveaway scam, how it works, and how to protect yourself from falling victim to it.
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How the Ethereum Giveaway Scam Works
The main goal of the Ethereum Giveaway scam is to deceive people into believing they can double their Ethereum by transferring a certain amount of ETH to a provided wallet. Scammers often use the name of Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, to give their scam an air of legitimacy. They claim that by sending 1 ETH to 500 ETH, individuals will receive double the amount in return, with additional bonuses for larger transfers.
For example, scammers may offer to send 2 ETH for 1 ETH, 10 ETH for 5 ETH, and so on. They also create a sense of urgency by claiming this is a one-time opportunity, with a limited supply of 50,000 ETH available for the giveaway. Once the cryptocurrency is transferred to the scammer’s wallet, the victim will not receive any return on their investment, as the entire scheme is fraudulent.
Here is a sample of text displayed by malicious sites:
Giveaway Rules FAQ Transactions Hurry up and take part in the giveaway of 50 000 ETH During this unique event we will give you a chance to win 50 000 ETH, have a look at the rules and don’t miss on your chance! More info Participate in the giveaway Marketplace Price Predictions Live Event 50 000 ETH Giveaway Ethereum (ETH) 50 000 ETH About We believe that Blockchain and Ethereum will make the world more fair. To speed up the process of cryptocurrency mass adoption, We decided to run 50 000 ETH giveaway. Rules To participate you just need to send from 1 ETH to 500 ETH to the contribution address and we will immediately send you back 2 ETH to 1 000 ETH (x2) to the address you sent it from. For example If you send 1+ ETH , you will get2+ ETH back. If you send 5+ ETH, you will get 10+ ETH back. If you send 10+ ETH, you will get 20+ ETH back. If you send 25+ ETH, you will get 50+ ETH back. If you send 50+ ETH, you will get 100+ ETH back. If you send 100+ ETH, you will get 200+ ETH back. If you send 250+ ETH, you will get 500+ ETH back. Extra bonuses 10+ ETH = 10% Bonus 25+ ETH = 20% Bonus 100+ ETH = 40% Bonus 250+ ETH = 50% Bonus You can only participate once. 15 850 ETH already sent to participants!
Hurry up and take part in the giveaway! Use this QR code to participate
15 850 ETH 50 000 ETH You can send ETH to the following address:
Waiting for payment
FAQ What do I have to do to participate in the giveaway? How long will it take me to get my bonus? Who is the sponsor of this giveaway? How many times can I participate in the giveaway? How do I get my bonus? Transactions for Address
Identifying and Avoiding Ethereum Giveaway Scams
Crypto giveaway scams often follow a similar pattern, using the names of well-known individuals or companies to appear more credible. To avoid falling victim to these scams, keep the following tips in mind:
Be skeptical of any cryptocurrency giveaway that promises to double your investment or offers substantial returns for minimal effort.
Research the legitimacy of any giveaway, looking for official statements from the person or company supposedly sponsoring it.
Be cautious of high-pressure tactics urging immediate action or claiming limited availability, as these are common tactics used by scammers.
Do not click on suspicious links or advertisements promoting cryptocurrency giveaways, as they may lead to malicious websites or download malware onto your device.
Remember that cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, so any funds sent to a scammer cannot be recovered.
Protecting Yourself from Scams
To protect yourself from the Ethereum Giveaway scam and other similar schemes, always exercise caution when dealing with cryptocurrency transactions. Take the time to research and verify the legitimacy of any giveaway, and never invest more than you can afford to lose. Additionally, keep your devices and software up to date with the latest security patches and use reputable antivirus software to protect against malware.
Check Your Device for Malware
The Ethereum giveaway scam emails and sites may contain malware, if you suspect your device is infected with malware, you can scan it for free with Malwarebytes. To check your computer or phone for Trojans, browser hijackers, or other malware and remove them for free, run a scan with Malwarebytes Free.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
Steps to Take If You’ve Fallen Victim to a Ethereum Giveaway Scam
If you have fallen victim to a Ethereum giveaway scam, it’s essential to act quickly and take the following steps:
Report the scam:
Contact your local law enforcement agency and file a report. Provide all the relevant details and evidence, such as the scammer’s wallet address, transaction details, and any communication you had with them.
Report the scam to the platform where you encountered it (e.g., YouTube, social media, or the website hosting the scam). This could help prevent others from falling victim to the same scheme.
Notify the relevant cryptocurrency exchange if you used one to transfer the funds. They may be able to provide assistance or guidance on the situation.
Secure your devices and accounts:
Change the passwords for all your online accounts, especially those related to cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets.
Install or update anti-virus and anti-malware software on your devices to protect against any malicious software that might have been downloaded during the scam.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts to add an extra layer of security.
Document everything:
Keep a record of all your correspondence with the scammer, including messages, emails, and any other communication.
Take screenshots or save copies of the scam webpage or video, as these can serve as evidence for law enforcement and help with any potential investigation.
Spread awareness:
Share your experience with friends, family, and online communities to raise awareness of the scam and help prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.
Learn from the experience:
Educate yourself about common cryptocurrency scams and best practices for safeguarding your digital assets.
Stay vigilant and skeptical of any investment opportunities that promise unrealistic returns or require upfront payments.
By being vigilant and following these guidelines, you can protect yourself from the Ethereum Giveaway scam and other cryptocurrency scams. Always remember to think twice before participating in any giveaway that seems too good to be true, as it likely is.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
Meet Stelian Pilici
Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.
