Chainabuse - Glossary

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Blackmail

During a blackmail scam, the scammer demands payment from their victim for not revealing damaging information the scammer claims to have about them or to unblock something their victim needs. Blackmail scams differ in the information scammers leverage to threaten their victims.

Sextortion scam

A Sextortion scam occurs when the scammer pretends to hold sensitive or revealing information on a target they threaten to release unless they receive payment in crypto.

Ransomware scam

A Ransomware scam occurs when the scammer pretends to have locked up a computer system and demands payment to release it.

Other blackmail scams

A blackmail scam (other) occurs when the scammer threatens to start targeting the victim (them or their systems) if they do not transfer crypto funds.

Blackmail

Sextortion scam

A Sextortion scam occurs when the scammer pretends to hold sensitive or revealing information on a target they threaten to release unless they receive payment in crypto.

Ransomware scam

A Ransomware scam occurs when the scammer pretends to have locked up a computer system and demands payment to release it.

Other blackmail scams

A blackmail scam (other) occurs when the scammer threatens to start targeting the victim (them or their systems) if they do not transfer crypto funds.

Frauds

Phishing Scam

Website phishing scam

A website phishing scam occurs when the scammer uses a fake website, often impersonating an actual crypto project, exchange, or organization, tricking users into providing personal information associated with login information.

NFT/ token airdrop scam

An NFT/ token airdrop scam occurs when the scammer sends fake NFT/tokens in mass to a user, hoping they will visit a phishing website. On this phishing website, the victim is tricked into providing log-in information that the scammer will use to gain control over their account and sign transactions on their behalf.

Other phishing scam:

Other phishing scams include, for example:

Email phishing scam: An email phishing scam occurs when the phish is sent via email. The scammer may, for example, impersonate a project or company via email and ask for log-in information or tell the user they need to upgrade in the hope they will download malicious software.
Phone Text phishing scam: a phone text phishing scam occurs when the phish is sent via text, often impersonating an organization.
Telegram phishing scam: a Telegram phishing scam occurs when the phish is sent via a malicious Telegram account, often impersonating an organization.
Discord phishing scam: a discord phishing scam occurs when the phish is sent via Discord, often impersonating an organization.
Employment scams: an employment scam occurs when scammers impersonate recruiters with fake job offers, actively seeking job hunters to steal cryptocurrency and personal information.
Technical support phishing scams: a technical phishing scam occurs when scammers set up scam customer support phone lines and impersonate organizations. They then make false claims to manipulate their target into providing personal information that will be used for fraudulent purposes.

Impersonation Scam

An impersonation scam occurs when the scammer pretends to be someone they are not - a celebrity, an established investor - or to be associated with an organization - such as an NGO or a project - when they are not.

The goal is to have the victim invest with them or donate money to them directly - instead of phishing them to visit a malicious website or to download malicious software.

Donation Impersonation Scam

A Donation Impersonation Scam occurs when scammers pretend to be an NGO in the hope the victim will donate crypto funds.

Other impersonations scams

Other impersonation scams can include, for example, a Nigerian Prince-type scam, when scammers pretend to be someone from overseas who has a fortune but needs help for a “huge” investment opportunity they cannot get out of the country without a victim’s help. They promise a share in this fake investment opportunity.

Romance Scam

A Romance scam occurs when the scammer uses a fake identity and gains the victim’s affection to have them invest or transfer funds to them.

Pig Butchering Scam

A Pig butchering scam occurs when the scammer stays in constant contact to build a relationship with the victim over time to have them invest in fake projects or transfer funds before they run away. The scammer tries to drain as much money out of the victim as possible, often using fake investment sites showing large fake profits and social engineering, such as intimidation via claims of needing to pay taxes

Investment Scams

Fake project scam

A Fake project scam occurs when the scammer pretends to be building a fake project and demands investments.

Rug pull scam

A rug pull scam occurs when an individual or group deletes their online footprint after accepting investor funds.

Fake returns scam

A Fake return scam occurs when the scammer promises fake returns to convince their victim to invest. The scammer can lure their victim by:

Payout scam: Promising fake payments - payout scam or load-up scam
Ponzi Scheme: Faking returns by paying profits to earlier investors with funds from more recent investors - the Ponzi scheme
Pump and dump scam: Fraudulently and artificially inflating the price of a cryptocurrency, such as during a pump-and-dump scam - using misleading information or other techniques.

Other investment scams

Other investment scams can include, for example:

Tax/fee scam: Where the scammer tells the victim they need to pay taxes in order to withdraw funds, to have the victim transfer additional funds, and then runs away
Advance fee scam: Where the scammer asks the victim to pay cryptos upfront to receive a good/service and then runs away.