In recent months, a disturbing trend has emerged within the Web3 gaming industry – the rise of deceptive scams targeting developers and game enthusiasts. These scams employ cunning tactics, preying upon the trust and enthusiasm of individuals in the space. It is critical for the community to be aware of these emerging threats and take necessary precautions to protect themselves.
A Deceptive Job Opportunity
The scam begins innocently enough with a direct message on Twitter from an account named @ameliachicel. The account presents a job opportunity centered around a promising Web3 game called MythIsland. The job being offered is for a Solidity position, a popular programming language used for implementing smart contracts. To add an element of legitimacy, further discussions are conducted on a platform like Telegram, where apparent interactions with other members of the game development team occur. These interactions aim to build trust and credibility for the project, enticing potential developers to get involved.
An Intricate Facade
To further solidify their deceit, the scammers create a polished website for the game. The website showcases high-quality graphics, functional links, and detailed descriptions of the in-game economy and NFT components. Everything seems legitimate and enticing to potential developers, creating an illusion of a promising opportunity. However, this facade starts to crumble when developers are instructed to download a game launcher to access an alpha version of MythIsland.
The Warning Signs
In one particular case, a cautious developer decided to use a virtual Windows machine for the download. However, during the download process, an error occurred – a .NET Framework update error. This raised suspicions for the developer, who promptly reported it to the team. In response, the so-called team members suggested trying the launcher on a different Windows machine. These series of events further heightened the developer’s doubts, causing them to question the legitimacy of the project.
Soon after the developer’s doubts arose, all communication trails were erased, and they were blocked by the team. It was later discovered that the entire project and its team were nothing but a web of deceit created by fraudsters. To make their scam seem more authentic, they had even gone to the extent of creating detailed social media profiles, with one claiming to be a former developer at Cosmos Network. This added another layer of credibility to their scheme.
Exposing the Scam and its Impact
The scam was eventually exposed by 0xMario, a freelance developer who had unfortunately fallen victim to the deception. Through a widely shared tweet, he warned others about his experience, sparking conversations where numerous users revealed similar stories of being targeted by the same scam. The impact of this scam was widespread, affecting many in the Web3 community.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving tactics employed by fraudsters and the critical importance of comprehensive security practices. Blockchain security firms have long warned about the risks involved in downloading files, especially executables and scripts, within the context of blockchain and Web3 engagements. It is essential for developers and enthusiasts to stay vigilant and exercise caution when it comes to downloading any files related to such projects.
As the Web3 gaming industry continues to expand and garner attention, it is crucial for individuals to remain critical and skeptical of enticing opportunities. Scams like the one targeting developers and game enthusiasts involved in MythIsland demonstrate the lengths to which fraudsters will go to deceive their victims. By staying informed, practicing due diligence, and supporting each other within the community, we can collectively combat these scams and create a safer and more secure Web3 gaming landscape.