Scammers have implemented a new crypto theft scheme. Now, attackers are deceiving users by allegedly distributing collectible virtual gifts in the Telegram messenger.

Virtual gifts that can be collected have appeared in the messenger. Cybercriminals saw this as a new gold mine and began creating phishing sites.

They promise a free distribution of items, for example, with an image of the meme Pepe the Frog. However, in reality, these resources contain malicious software that steals funds from users' crypto wallets.

Criminals, like ordinary people, follow trends. They assess how an information occasion can be used in their activities. Among other current schemes in Telegram are phishing authorization pages and crypto exchange bots, in which funds can only be deposited.
Maria Sinitsyna, Senior Analyst at Digital Risk Protection at F.A.C.C.T.

Avoid entering personal data on dubious resources, study information about promotions, and also check the domain registration date (for example, via Whois) - often fraudulent sites are registered a few days before they start being used.

It is also important to always use reliable antivirus software on your device and update it regularly.

Earlier, www1.ru reported that in 2024, approximately 9 million Russian Internet users faced monthly with phishing web pages, fraudulent online stores, and resources containing malicious files.

In Russia, almost 40% of crimes are committed using information technology. In 11 months of 2024, this figure increased by 5%. At the same time, it is very difficult to catch fraudsters.

Read more on the topic:

Russians are being massively deceived with virtual cards: how it happens

A "university" for training hackers and fraudsters was uncovered in Russia

The Ministry of Internal Affairs revealed how fraudsters can gain access to "Gosuslugi"

Not childish scam: how fraudsters find loopholes in the system and profit from payments

Sources
F.A.C.C.T.

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