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.
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 participate15 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 runs on Windows, Mac, and Android. Click the tab below for the device you want to scan, then follow the steps to remove any malware it finds.
Scan Your Computer with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan your PC and remove what Malwarebytes finds.
Download Malwarebytes
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost-
Install Malwarebytes
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
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Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
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Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
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When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
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On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
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Optional: Check for rootkits with a Custom Scan
You don’t need to change any settings for a normal scan. The standard Threat Scan in the next step is enough for most problems, so you can go straight to it.
If you also want to check for rootkits, use a Custom Scan. In current versions of Malwarebytes, rootkit scanning is only available there:
- On the Scanner tile, click the three-dot menu and select Advanced Scan.
- Choose Custom Scan. In its options, check Scan for rootkits.
- Select your system drive (usually C:\) as the location to scan, then start the scan. It takes longer than a Threat Scan.
- When it finishes, review and quarantine the results as described in the steps below.
Rootkit scanning isn’t available on Windows devices with ARM processors.
Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.
Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
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Restart Your Computer
Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.
When the scan is done, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they continue, see the options below.
If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
- Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan Your Mac with Malwarebytes for Mac
Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan your Mac and remove what Malwarebytes finds.
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Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes PremiumMalwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost -
Open the Malwarebytes setup file
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
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Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.
When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.
Malwarebytes needs Full Disk Access to check your whole Mac. When it asks, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access, turn on Malwarebytes (it may be listed as Malwarebytes Protection), and confirm with your password or Touch ID. Then return to Malwarebytes. On macOS Monterey and earlier, this setting is in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy.
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Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”
Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
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Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
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Restart Your Mac
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they come back, save the scan report and ask for help in our forum.
If the problems you noticed continue after the scan, see the options below.
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
Malwarebytes for Android scans your phone or tablet for malware, adware, and potentially unwanted apps. The free version scans only when you start a scan. Real-time protection, which checks apps automatically, is part of the paid Premium version.
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Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for AndroidMalwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost -
Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.
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.
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Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes opens, it walks you through a short setup. Tap Get started and follow the prompts. If you see an offer for a trial or a paid plan, read it before you accept. You can skip it and keep using the free scanner.
Malwarebytes will ask for permission to access the files on your phone so it can scan them. Tap Allow, or turn on the permission in the Android screen that opens, then return to Malwarebytes.
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Run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
On the main screen, tap Scan now. In some versions, you open the menu, tap Scanner, and then tap Run a scan.
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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.
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Remove the detected apps.
When the scan has been completed, you will see a list of the threats that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. Next to each detected item, tap the menu icon (three dots), then choose to uninstall the app or delete the file. Android then asks you to confirm. Tap OK or Uninstall to remove the app.
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Restart your phone.
When the detected apps are removed, restart your phone if Malwarebytes asks you to. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped.
If the problems you noticed continue after the scan, see the options below.
If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
- Only as a last resort, reset your phone to factory settings. Read the warning below first.
- Back up your photos, videos, files, and messages, for example to your Google account or a computer.
- Make sure you know your Google account email and password. The phone asks for them after the reset. If you changed the password recently, Google recommends waiting 24 hours before you reset.
- On a Samsung phone, also make sure you know your Samsung account password.
- If you use an authenticator app for two-step verification, move your accounts to another device or save your backup codes first.
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.
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