As the TON ecosystem and community grow, the schemes to deceive users are becoming more sophisticated every day.
Until recently, the most common methods of cryptocurrency scams were social engineering (where someone is tricked into transferring funds under some pretext) and the distribution of malicious software (stealers, clippers, etc.).
On the TON blockchain, scam NFTs with QR codes and links to fake websites have become "popular." A person follows the link or QR code, connects their wallet hoping to receive an airdrop, and ends up losing TON and valuable NFTs or tokens.
Today, we'll discuss a relatively new scam method in TON - advertising drainers through Telegram Ads.
❓ How Does It Work?
Scammers register accounts on advertising platforms that provide access to Telegram Ads. Alternatively, they use the official platform with TON payment.
A user sees an ad in their favorite channel, which appears to be offering a drop. This ad directly leads to the drainer.
The main pretext is the promise of a valuable asset for free. Scammers often use the names of well-known projects. For example, recently, during the hype around a new game from ANON, scammers launched an ad for the ANON Boxes drainer bot, where you could supposedly get a valuable NFT.
🤥 How Does the Drainer Work?
The drainer works quite simply: the bot requests wallet connection through the TON Connect protocol, which is supported by popular wallets like Tonkeeper, Ton Space, MyTonWallet, and TonHub.
After that, you are sent a transaction that you can either accept or decline. If you confirm, you will send TON and your other valuable assets to the scammer's wallet.
For example, one person gifted the ANON Boxes bot more than $50,000 worth of Anon tokens, Gram, and an anonymous number +888 0202 0101, bought two weeks ago for $12,000.
✈️ How Does Telegram Allow Such Ads?
These drainer bots spread through official ad posts that are moderated by Telegram. Initially, Telegram introduced strict rules banning the advertisement of even fast food, categorized along with drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. This caused a minor conflict with Burger King.
However, many channels are flooded with ads from info-gypsies, pseudo-millionaire traders. Ads that violate Telegram's rules, such as calls to action, excessive use of emojis, etc., still get through. Ads for casinos and bookmakers started appearing next.
The final stage of the advertising platform's decline can be seen in ads leading directly to scams. Without any preambles, they take your money outright.
🧑💻 How to Avoid Such Scams?
The best option is to purchase Telegram Premium. This feature allows you to disable TG Ads.
If you cannot afford a premium account, follow the main rule - all legitimate information about drops or activities is published only on the project's official channels.
If you see such an ad, first check the project's channel, ask a question in the chat, and be assured that there is a 99.99% chance the ad is a scam.
Telegram also needs to improve its advertising platform to prevent such ads from reaching users.
Scams will always exist. Every day, more sophisticated schemes appear, trapping even seasoned crypto veterans.
🔍 Do your own research and remember, there's no such thing as a free lunch!
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