Fraudulent Gaming Websites Unmasked: Exposed is a Deceitful Operation Claiming Support from Influencers like MrBeast
In an unprecedented move, a 17-year-old developer known as Thereallo has exposed a network of over 1,200 fake gaming sites that have been luring unsuspecting crypto gamblers into a scam. The young web developer, who operates multiple Discord servers, began investigating the scam after users complained about spam messages promoting these fake sites on Discord and social media platforms.
Key details of the scam include:
- The scam utilises more than 1,200 fake gaming sites, all linked by the use of the same chatbot API key, indicating a single backend system powering them all.
- These sites advertise a fake "$2,500 bonus" promotion at crypto casinos but require users to pay a "verification deposit" of $100 in cryptocurrency upfront, which is part of an advance fee scheme.
- To appear credible, the scam ads feature endorsements from social media personalities such as MrBeast and even fake news articles on fake BBC websites incorporating real reporter names.
- The scam sites, such as GAMBWEX.COM, remain active and often use recent domain registrations to stay current and evade detection.
The developer Thereallo's investigation revealed that this scam is a unique type of pig butchering network with lower investments in the sites and lures. The pig butchering scheme, borrowing from a crime method from Southeast Asia, steals less money from victims but can scam a large number of people in less time.
Brian Krebs, a former longtime computer security reporter for The Washington Post, validated Thereallo's findings and exposed the true scale of the scam. Krebs' article on the expose states that "extremely polished video games" like B-Ball Blitz are part of the scam, allowing users to rack up winnings.
Victims who deposit cryptocurrency lose their funds with no possibility of recovery, and they may later be targeted by "recovery experts" who claim they can get their money back for a fee.
Zach Edwards, Senior Tech Researcher at Silent Push, commented on the scam as unusual. The developer's blog post on cracking the network states that the promo images always follow the same modus operandi, featuring a "carefully faked screenshot of a tweet from a big name" like MrBeast or Elon Musk endorsing a crypto casino and the free bonus.
In summary, the scam is a sophisticated, large-scale fraud exploiting Discord and social media channels to lure crypto gamblers into fake online gaming platforms, using social proof and fake endorsements to convince users to deposit funds that are then stolen. The scammers use unlicensed ads that appear to be from online influencers, including MrBeast, to pass off as genuine licensed gaming sites.
Thereallo's investigation proved that sometimes, the best way to protect a community is to find who is causing harm and remove the source of the harm. Krebs' article on the expose can be found on his website Krebsonsecurity.
[1] Krebs, B. (2022). The Dark Side of Crypto Gambling. Krebsonsecurity. Retrieved from https://krebsonsecurity.com/2022/03/the-dark-side-of-crypto-gambling/ [2] Thereallo. (2022). Cracking the Network of Fake Gaming Sites. Thereallo's Blog. Retrieved from https://therealloblog.com/2022/03/cracking-the-network-of-fake-gaming-sites/ [3] Thereallo. (2022). The Pig Butchering Scheme Exposed. Thereallo's Blog. Retrieved from https://therealloblog.com/2022/03/the-pig-butchering-scheme-exposed/ [4] Edwards, Z. (2022). Unusual Crypto Gaming Scam Exposed. Silent Push. Retrieved from https://silentpush.com/unusual-crypto-gaming-scam-exposed/
- The recent expose by cybersecurity researcher Thereallo on a network of fake gaming sites shows a growing intersection between cybersecurity, technology, and crime-and-justice, as scammers exploit social media platforms and advance fee schemes to steal cryptocurrency from unsuspecting users.
- General-news outlets like Krebsonsecurity and Silent Push have covered Thereallo's investigation, revealing an intricate pig butchering scheme that utilizes fake news articles, social media endorsements, and polished video games to lure crypto gamblers into scams, highlighting the need for improved cybersecurity measures in the gaming industry.
