CoinGecko warns of scammers promoting fake GECKO airdrops

Cryptocurrency price aggregator website CoinGecko says that malicious actors are flooding social media with fake GECKO token airdrops.

Crypto data aggregator CoinGecko has warned users about fake airdrop scams, warning them to be careful as scam schemes targeting its community gain momentum.

Geckos, watch out for fake airdrops! 🚨

We noticed misleading posts on X $GECKO airdrops are happening.

This is NOT TRUE. CoinGecko does not currently have any token or airdrop plans.

Always be vigilant and double-check your sources before clicking on any links.

— CoinGecko (@coingecko) August 21, 2024

CoinGecko warned its followers about misleading claims regarding the GECKO token airdrop in a post on X on August 21, emphasizing that the company has no plans to launch such an initiative.

“This is NOT TRUE. CoinGecko does not currently have any token or airdrop plans. Always be careful and double-check your sources before clicking on any links.” CoinGecko

The warning from CoinGecko comes as posts have popped up on X falsely claiming that the crypto price data website had verified the “$GECKO” airdrop. One such X post references a 2020 CoinGecko blog post discussing CoinGecko Candy, a rewards point system for users.

CoinGecko gives tips on launching a token | Source: CoinGecko

“CoinGecko Candy is non-transferable and not a cryptocurrency/token (yet!),” the post added, fueling speculation and hinting at possible future developments. However, the same blog also explicitly warned of “fake ERC-20 CoinGecko scam tokens” created by malicious actors, urging caution.

This type of fraudulent activity is not uncommon in the crypto space, where scammers often exploit the reputation of established platforms to mislead users. For example, in March 2023, MetaMask was forced to address “false rumors” of a non-existent airdrop after speculations arose from comments made by ConsenSys CEO Joe Lubin during a session at ETHDenver 2023. Lubin emphasized that his company was “trying to decentralize” MetaMask and said that the company had plans to distribute a token.