Avoiding a Potential Scam: Bored Ape Yacht Club Owner’s Experience
A Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) owner recently shared their encounter with a scammer who posed as a Forbes journalist. The NFT collector, known as ‘Crumz,’ received a direct message from someone claiming to be Robert LaFanco, a real Forbes editor, offering an interview for an article about BAYCs.
The Distraction Attempt and the Scammer’s Tactics
During the interview, the scammer asked Crumz to click a button to allow access for recording purposes. Despite some red flags, Crumz complied and was later asked to mention something related to his ape and suggest a banana. It became clear that this was a distraction attempt to take Crumz away from his computer while the attacker gained control of it to steal his assets.
Staying Alert and Preventing the Scam
Crumz decided not to get the banana as instructed and instead stayed by his computer. As expected, the scammers started controlling his screen. However, he managed to stop them before any damage was done. Crumz warned others about this scam on Twitter, emphasizing the importance of staying safe and remaining vigilant.
Warnings from Other Crypto Community Members
A partner of crypto casino Rollbit named ‘@3orovik’ also warned his followers about the fake Forbes journalist posing as ‘Robert LaFranco.’ He highlighted that this person attempts to deceive individuals during interviews in order to gain access to their computers and steal their valuable NFTs. Another BAYC community member, Laura Rod, reported being contacted by the same bogus Forbes editor.
Previous Scams Involving Fake Journalists
Blockchain security firm Slowmist previously reported on various scams in which victims lost their crypto assets to fake journalists. The attackers would schedule interviews, guide victims to join the interview on Telegram, conduct lengthy interviews, and then provide a malicious link disguised as a consent form for publication. In another incident, a Friend.tech user fell victim to a fake Bloomberg journalist who drained their account through a deceptive consent form link.
Identifying Scammers on Twitter
Several industry observers have noted that scammers on Twitter often use BAYC profile pictures. This observation serves as a cautionary reminder to be cautious of such accounts.
Hot Take: Protecting Yourself from Impersonation Scams
It is crucial to exercise caution and be aware of potential impersonation scams in the crypto world. Scammers may pose as reputable figures or journalists to gain access to personal information and assets. To protect yourself, always verify the authenticity of individuals contacting you for interviews or other purposes. Be skeptical of requests for unusual actions or suspicious links. Stay informed about common scam tactics and remain vigilant when engaging with others in the crypto community.
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