In the ever-evolving landscape of the Web3 gaming industry, scams continue to pose a significant threat. Recently, a new deceitful scheme has been discovered, targeting developers and game enthusiasts. This scam employed deceptive tactics that aimed to gain the trust of potential victims.
The Initial Trap
It all began with a seemingly innocent direct message on Twitter from an account named @ameliachicel. This account offered a job opportunity centered around a Web3 game called MythIsland. Positioned as a Solidity position, the job required expertise in a popular programming language used for implementing smart contracts. To further establish credibility, discussions then moved to Telegram, involving other apparent members of the game development team. These conversations were designed to build trust and legitimacy for the project.
Building Credibility Through a Facade
To reinforce the illusion, the game’s website was meticulously crafted, showcasing high-quality graphics, functional links, and detailed descriptions of the in-game economy and NFT components. This carefully designed facade made it increasingly enticing for potential developers to get involved. However, as the saying goes, “looks can be deceiving.”
The turning point came when the developer was instructed to download a game launcher to access an alpha version of MythIsland. Exercising caution, the developer decided to use a virtual Windows machine for the download. During the process, an unexpected error occurred, specifically a .NET Framework update error. This raised suspicions for the developer, who immediately reported it to the team. In response, the supposed team members suggested trying the launcher on a different Windows machine. This further deepened the developer’s doubts, leading to questioning the legitimacy of the entire project.
Shortly after, all communication trails were abruptly cut off, and the developer found themselves blocked by the team. It was later revealed that the entire project and its team were nothing more than a carefully woven web of deceit crafted by fraudsters. To make their scam seem more authentic, the criminals went as far as creating detailed social media profiles. One of these profiles even claimed to be a former developer at Cosmos Network, adding another layer of credibility to their scheme.
This elaborate scam was eventually exposed by 0xMario, a freelance developer who had fallen victim to the deception. Through a widely shared tweet, 0xMario warned others about his experience and opened the floodgates for countless users to share similar stories of being targeted by the same scam. The impact of this scam was widespread, affecting many individuals within the Web3 community.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving tactics used by fraudsters and the critical importance of comprehensive security practices. Blockchain security firms have long emphasized the risks associated with downloading files, particularly executables and scripts, within the context of blockchain and Web3 engagements. It is crucial for developers and enthusiasts alike to remain vigilant and exercise caution when downloading any files related to such projects.
As the Web3 gaming industry continues to grow, protecting its ecosystem becomes increasingly paramount. Players, developers, and enthusiasts must work hand in hand to establish robust security measures and educate themselves about potential threats. By staying informed, exercising caution, and learning from past scams, we can build a safer and more secure gaming environment for all.