How to protect yourself from fake giveaways and cryptocurrency airdrop scams

Overview

Fake giveaway and airdrop scams trick people into sending cryptocurrency by promising they will receive more in return. Scammers often impersonate well-known celebrities, cryptocurrency companies, exchanges, influencers, or trusted brands such as MoonPay to make the offer appear legitimate.

These scams are commonly promoted through social media, fake livestreams, hacked accounts, online advertisements, and fraudulent websites. Victims are told that sending cryptocurrency is required to participate in a limited-time promotion or to verify their wallet. In reality, any cryptocurrency sent goes directly to the scammer.

How the scam works

Scammers create convincing promotions that appear to come from trusted individuals or organizations, often using fake websites, social media profiles, or livestreams.

You'll be told you have been selected for a giveaway or exclusive airdrop, and that you must first send cryptocurrency to a specified wallet address. The scammer promises a larger amount of cryptocurrency will be sent back automatically. The promised payment never arrives, and the scammer keeps the funds.

Common tactics scammers use

Scammers may:

Impersonate celebrities, influencers, cryptocurrency companies, exchanges, or trusted brands like MoonPay
Create fake livestreams featuring edited or AI-generated videos promoting a giveaway
Use hacked or verified social media accounts to make the promotion appear legitimate
Advertise offers such as "Send 1 BTC, receive 2 BTC back"
Build fake websites that closely resemble legitimate company websites
Claim the giveaway or airdrop is only available for a limited time to create urgency
Display fake transaction histories showing other people supposedly receiving rewards

What victims are told to do

Scammers may instruct you to:

Visit a fake giveaway or airdrop website
Connect or verify your cryptocurrency wallet
Purchase cryptocurrency and send it to a wallet address to "activate," "verify," or "qualify" for the giveaway
Wait for the promised reward to be returned automatically

Important: Legitimate giveaways and airdrops do not require you to send cryptocurrency in order to receive cryptocurrency.

What actually happens

Cryptocurrency is purchased using your own funds
That cryptocurrency is sent directly to a wallet controlled by the scammer
Wallet information may be handed over to fraudulent websites
Nothing is received in return
Scammers may claim there was an error and request additional payments, but no legitimate giveaway or airdrop is taking place

Note: Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, which means funds sent to a scammer are typically not recoverable.

How to protect yourself

Never send cryptocurrency to receive more cryptocurrency in return
Be skeptical of any giveaway or airdrop that requires an upfront payment or wallet "verification" through a crypto transfer
Verify promotions by visiting the official website or social media accounts of the company or individual being impersonated
Be cautious of livestreams, posts, or advertisements promoting cryptocurrency giveaways with guaranteed returns
Check website URLs carefully, as scammers often use domains that closely resemble legitimate websites
Remember that legitimate companies, celebrities, and trusted services like MoonPay will never ask you to send cryptocurrency to participate in a giveaway or promotion

Tip: If an offer promises to send back more than you send in, it's a scam — no exceptions.

FAQs

Can I get my cryptocurrency back after sending it to a fake giveaway?

No. Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, so funds sent to a scammer's wallet are typically not recoverable.

How do I know if a celebrity or brand giveaway is real?

Check the official website or verified social media channels directly, rather than trusting a link from a livestream, comment, or advertisement. Legitimate giveaways never ask you to send cryptocurrency first.

Does MoonPay run cryptocurrency giveaways?

MoonPay will never ask you to send cryptocurrency in order to receive a reward, bonus, or giveaway. Any promotion making that request is not from MoonPay.

What should I do if I think I'm being targeted?

Stop immediately, don't send any cryptocurrency, and report the account, video, or website to the platform hosting it.