Consumers should be mindful of cybercriminal activity amid a spike in consumer digital engagement during the holiday season. Cybercriminals are aware of the human behavior associated with this seasonal activity and adapt their scams accordingly by sending phishing emails that have holiday themes to lure consumers into providing login credentials, clicking on links, or verifying wallet information.
Once an individual has unknowingly provided their sensitive information to the cybercriminal, it is only a matter of time before they can access and transfer the victim’s digital assets to themselves. The speed with which an individual can transfer stolen cryptocurrency and wash it away anonymously, using a variety of tools and methods, is astounding to many professionals in the digital world.
According to FBI statistics, during the months of November through January, there will be a major increase in phishing attacks, as well as the number of individuals who become victims from cryptocurrency theft.
To assist consumers in identifying potential phishing scams, Lionsgate Network has created this guide to support individuals in identifying potential phishing scams before they become victims, and will also inform them when to seek out a professional crypto scam recovery specialist, or a reliable crypto recovery service provider if their funds have been stolen.
How Holiday Crypto Phishing Works
The following are examples of the types of scams that are operating online today:
Scammers frequently pose as:
- Coinbase, Kraken, Binance – Cryptocurrency Exchange
- MetaMask, Ledger, Trust Wallet – Wallet Providers
- UPS, FedEx, DHL – Delivery Services
- Amazon, Apple, Christmas – E-commerce Websites
- Charity or Gifts – Platforms that allow you to donate money or goods
The ultimate goal of these types of scams is to have you click on a link to a fake login page where they will capture your credentials and/or seed phrase.
Once you submit your password or seed phrase, they take over your account.
The Top 10 Holiday Phishing Scams to Watch For
|
Scam Type |
What It Looks Like |
What Actually Happens |
|
|
1 |
Fake Wallet Backup Reminder |
“Prepare for the update in 2025, lest your wallet be without backup.” |
Link leads to fake wallet site that steals your seed phrase. |
|
2 |
Holiday Giveaway “Claim Reward” Email |
“You have gotten free BTC/ETH — be quick to claim them.” |
Links up to a malicious smart contract or misleading dashboard. |
|
3 |
Fake Exchange Login Alert |
“A fresh login was detected — secure your account here.” |
Fraud site replicates real exchange login. |
|
4 |
Crypto Tax Notice |
“Trade levies to be reassessed at the year end due to fluctuating crypto legal scenarios.” |
Scammers imitate IRS or local authority to scare users. |
| 5 |
Delivery Failure Notification |
“Your shipment was sent back — make payment in cryptocurrency.” |
Counterfeit tracking URL directs to credential stealing. |
| 6 |
Subscription Renewal Scam |
“Your hardware wallet subscription is coming to an end.” |
Hardware wallets are not associated with any kind of subscription service — it’s a trick. |
|
7 |
Holiday NFT Mint Hype Drop | “Seasonal mint / whitelist exclusive ends today.” |
“Mint” takes all your money. |
| 8 |
Fake Ledger / Trezor Firmware Update |
“Update installation is needed for security purposes.” |
Malware gets the remote access for the wallet to be installed. |
| 9 |
Charity Donation Wallet Scam |
Donate cryptocurrency to support needy families during the Christmas festivities. |
This crypto wallet address belongs to a scammer, not to a charity. |
| 10 |
Customer Support Impersonation |
You’re raising your issue on the Internet → phony customer care messages are sent to you. |
They lead you to the “validation” of your wallet, which is really stealing. |
Red Flags to Recognize Immediately
There are many signs that this email is a scam:
- An urgency is created in the email; “Urgent,” “Final Notice,” and “Before Midnight.”
- Either a subtle misspelling of the sender’s domain or the link URL does not match the official site (binance.com).
- You are requested to verify your seed phrase; this is another red flag.
- The email creates a “emotional” response based on fear, excitement, pressure, or guilt to get you to act quickly.
The First Rule about Scammers: No real wallet/exchange or government agency will ever ask for your seed phrase. They will never ask for it over the Holidays (or any time).
How to Protect Yourself Right Now
- Do not click on any link in email messages.
- Manually input the site address of your exchange or wallet.
- Only use hardware wallets for storing funds.
- If your wallet is not connected, your assets cannot be accessed.
- Set up 2FA through an authenticator application instead of through SMS.
- Double-check all message communications from “support” against the actual website.
- Beware of holiday promotion offers that claim you can win gifts by participating.
- If required to send cryptocurrency in order to receive cryptocurrency, it’s a scam.
Lionsgate Network Expert Insight
Lionsgate monitors these types of attacks on an ongoing basis, which indicates that a majority of victims did not realize they were entering a bogus account because:
- The fake site is an exact replica;
- Although users thought their username/password had gone to the scam website, it first would have been sent to the criminal as a result of these fraudulent websites; and
- The victims who were aware of the fraud discovered that by the time they learned about their stolen funds, their stolen crypto had already been sent to several different blockchains, which prevented them from recovering the stolen crypto once the criminals moved it.
However, with quick action, it is possible to recover your money. The faster you begin your recovery process, the better chance you have of freezing the funds. In addition to this, it is essential that you contact an established cryptocurrency recovery service immediately for further assistance in this regard, as the establishment of a tried-and-true cryptocurrency scam recovery process is critical.
If You Think You Clicked a Scam Link — Act Now
Please refrain from logging in again to your account.
Please do not send more cryptocurrency or faketokens until after the holidays.
Your next action is very important:
Contact Lionsgate Network Right Away
Rapid Trace: We are able to track your assets that have been stolen across blockchains in real time, with updates as they happen.
Evidence Data: We prepare the evidence package for law enforcement.
Recovery Plan: There will be a simple, transparent, and cost-effective way to recover your assets back the way they should have been.
Get Immediate Help: https://lionsgate.network/recovery
Time is everything in crypto theft.
Delay makes recovery exponentially harder.
Stay alert. Stay secure. And protect your wallet this holiday season.
