Scam Alert: Toncoin Fake Referral Links

Telegram’s announcement regarding the endorsement of the Open Network (TON) blockchain and its intention to introduce the Toncoin token has captured widespread interest.

However, this development has also attracted scammers who are preying on unsuspecting token holders. Users must exercise caution to protect themselves from falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

Kaspersky Advises Telegram Users Over Potential Scam Attacks 

In recent developments, scammers have targeted unsuspecting users drawn to Telegram’s endorsement of the Open Network (TON) blockchain. According to cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, the scam has been active since at least Nov. 2023, taking advantage of the growing interest in TON. 

Scammers are enticing users with promises of lucrative returns through a “super-secret awesome bot” and referral links, as per findings on the Kaspersky website. The scheme involves users investing their money, purchasing “booster” tariffs, and inviting friends to earn commissions from every coin invested. This pyramid scheme encourages larger investments by offering higher returns, amplifying the risk of financial loss for unsuspecting victims. 

Once users click on the links, they are directed to join an unofficial Telegram bot, purportedly for safe cryptocurrency storage. Victims are then instructed to link their Web3 wallets to the bot and encouraged to buy Toncoins from official sources like Telegram bots, P2P markets, or exchanges. This alarming trend highlights the importance of remaining vigilant and cautious when engaging in cryptocurrency-related activities online.

To help users avoid falling prey to these scams Kaspersky advised that users avoid get-rich-quick schemes. It further advised that users protect their crypto assets with maximum security measures to safeguard against scams, phishing links, and other threats. 

Disclaimer

This article is provided for information only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.