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This particular phishing scam may draw curiosity, but it must be noted that it is merely a small part of a larger trend of cybercriminals targeting crypto users.
Key Notes
Misspelling Soneium on Google can lead to a crypto wallet-draining phishing site.Crypto phishing scams are becoming more sophisticated, targeting unsuspecting investors through subtle online traps.Blockchain security firm Scam Sniffer has sounded a note of warning after it discovered a sponsored ad on Google parading as a website link for Sony’s blockchain Soneium. This discovery has once again brought up the huge risks that potentially lie in misspelling blockchain-related terms on Google.
Scam Sniffer Warns of Phishing Scam Linked to Soneium
Moments ago, Scam Sniffer shared that it found that a search for “Soneium” could lead users to a dangerous phishing site. However, the scam only begins when users mistakenly search for “someium” instead of “Soneium”.
Upon making this mistake and searching for the wrong keyword, the sponsored ad appears right at the top of Google’s results page. Once users click on the ad, they are then directed to the fraudulent website that contains a crypto wallet drainer.
According to Scam Sniffer, the phishing trap is so well-hidden that most users wouldn’t even realize they’ve been targeted until it’s too late. The scammers covered their tracks to the point that even Google may find it hard to detect the fraudulent page or take down the ad. That is because of the kind of sophisticated techniques that the bad actors have used. The security outfit wrote:
“It’s hard to see it unless you are targeted, and that’s why Google couldn’t know [about] it.”
Meanwhile, an independent attempt by Coinspeaker to verify Scam Sniffer’s claims also brought the same results. However, the malicious site was found to be operating under a different domain than Soneium’s official website.
Also, some users have claimed not to come across the same search results when they mistakenly input soneium. This suggests that the scam may have targeted specific users or is cleverly disguised based on certain factors like location or browsing habits.
Crypto Theft on the Rise
This particular phishing scam may draw curiosity, but it must be noted that it is merely a small part of a larger trend. Cybercrime is on the rise, and crypto users may just be at the receiving end of its hottest sting.
As Scam Sniffer noted, over $46 million in crypto was stolen from phishing scams in September alone. That is, from over 10,800 victims. In total, over $127 million worth of crypto was stolen in the third quarter of 2024, with Ether (ETH) wallets being the primary target.
Scammers often introduce slight changes to domain names to trick users into thinking they are visiting the right website. These changes can go unnoticed and can lead to terrible financial losses.
Earlier this year reports filtered of a similar scam that also led to the loss of over $4 million. This happened within a few weeks of users clicking on fake crypto websites promoted through Google Search ads.
Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.
Mayowa is a crypto enthusiast/writer whose conversational character is quite evident in his style of writing. He strongly believes in the potential of digital assets and takes every opportunity to reiterate this. He's a reader, a researcher, an astute speaker, and also a budding entrepreneur. Away from crypto however, Mayowa's fancied distractions include soccer or discussing world politics.
