MetaMask Users Beware: Government Websites Turn into Crypto Traps

<p>

Online
scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using official government
websites from various countries to deceive cryptocurrency users. For this
purpose, they are once again exploiting MetaMask, a popular Ethereum-based
crypto wallet, in an attempt to defraud investors from diverse jurisdictions.
Once redirected to these fake MetaMask sites, users risk losing control over
their crypto assets.</p><p>Official Gov Websites
Redirect to Fake MetaMask</p><p>The scam that CoinTelegraph initially reported involves redirecting users
from official government websites to fraudulent <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/tag/metamask/" target="_blank" rel="follow">MetaMask </a>sites. These websites
are so convincing that they easily deceive users into thinking they are on the
official MetaMask platform. </p><p>Once there,
the fake site prompts users to link their MetaMask wallets, thereby giving
scammers full control over the assets stored in those wallets.</p><p>Government
websites from countries like India, Nigeria, Egypt, Colombia, Brazil, and
Vietnam have been found to redirect users to these fake MetaMask sites. This
raises concerns about the security measures in place on these government
platforms and their potential involvement in the scam.</p><p>One such
address is the Egyptian Consumer Protection Agency, which redirects from the
search engine to a fake MetaMask website.</p><p>Users who
visit this site will see a warning in their browser indicating that the site
may be deceptive. However, if they ignore this warning, they will encounter a
website that closely resembles the original MetaMask service.</p><p>The
screenshots below show a striking similarity between the original and fake
MetaMask page:</p><p>Rising Incidents of Scams
Targeting MetaMask Users</p><p>In 2023,
MetaMask boasts a monthly active user base of 21 million. Given its popularity,
it's no surprise that scammers are increasingly attempting to exploit the app
and its cryptocurrency wallet to defraud consumers and steal their digital
assets. As early as 2019, Finance Magnates <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/news/fake-metamask-app-removed-from-google-play-store/" target="_blank" rel="follow">warned about counterfeit MetaMask
apps</a> being removed from the Google Play Store. <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/news/new-metamask-phishing-scam-preys-on-users-seeking-support/" target="_blank" rel="follow">In 2021</a>, reports surfaced about
a phishing attack that aimed to steal MetaMask users' information by posing as
customer support.</p><p>Last year,
the app's developers warned about <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/terms/p/phishing/">phishing</a> attempts exploiting Apple devices. Scammers used a security loophole in the
iCloud app to access users' seed phrases for their wallets.</p><p>The
cryptocurrency industry witnessed a spike in financial losses due to
cyberattacks and vulnerabilities, reaching a year-to-date high of <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/crypto-hacks-and-exploits-peak-year-to-date-in-july-report/" target="_blank" rel="follow">$303 million
in July</a>. <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/terms/b/blockchain/">The blockchain</a> security firm, Certik published an update detailing these losses six weeks ago.</p><p>Earlier in
July, Finance Magnates disclosed that cyber criminals had stolen <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/crypto-hacks-and-exploits-decline-in-q2-2023-report/" target="_blank" rel="follow">$313
million</a> in the year's second quarter, a figure nearly identical to the $320
million lost in the first quarter. Notably, losses attributed to exit scams
alone saw a twofold increase, hitting $70 million.</p>

This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.