A user lost 6,000 XRP after falling for a scheme that promised to double their funds. That case is one of several being reported as scammers step up their efforts against XRP Ledger users, prompting a public warning from Ripple\u2019s former chief technology officer.<\/p>\n
David Schwartz, known online as JoelKatz, posted the alert<\/a> on X after what he described as a sharp rise in fake airdrop and giveaway activity. He warned that nearly all such offers seen across social platforms are fraudulent, and that anyone claiming to be him on Instagram, Telegram, or similar apps is almost certainly running a scam.<\/p>\n The warning came alongside reports from others in the XRP<\/a> space. XRPL blockchain explorer Bithomp flagged a specific trick where scammers send unsolicited NFTs to user wallets.<\/p>\n SCAM ALERT: There has been a huge escalation lately in airdrop and giveaway scams targetting XRPL users lately. Any such posts you see are likely scams.<\/p>\n Anyone claiming to be me on Instagram, Telegram, or almost anywhere else is likely a scammer.<\/p>\n Stay safe XRP fam.<\/p>\n \u2014 David \u2018JoelKatz\u2019 Schwartz (@JoelKatz) May 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The NFTs carry misleading messages \u2014 one example read \u201cVerification: Safe XRPL verify message\u201d \u2014 and are paired with hidden Buy Offers. When a user signs or accepts the offer, their XRP or other assets can be drained immediately. Wietse Wind from the Xaman wallet team has also urged users to cancel any unknown offers without delay.<\/p>\n The methods are not complex but they are effective. Scammers build fake social media profiles impersonating Schwartz, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, and projects tied to the XRPL<\/a>. One fake Schwartz profile on Instagram was flagged by a community member last month and reported to the platform.<\/p>\n Phishing<\/a> plays a large role too. Fraudulent websites prompt users to connect their wallets or approve transactions under the guise of claiming rewards. Once done, the wallet is emptied. Some operations still use the oldest trick in the book \u2014 asking users to send XRP first with the promise of receiving more back.<\/p>\n The scams are not exploiting flaws in the XRP Ledger itself. They rely entirely on deceiving people.<\/p>\n Be aware of new scams on the #XRPL<\/a>.<\/p>\n Scammers are tricking users into signing NFT Buy Offers with misleading memos like: Always double-check:<\/p>\n \u2013 what transaction type you are\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/nNl6Mj4Ryl<\/a><\/p>\nWhat Scammers Are Actually Doing<\/h2>\n
\n\u201cVerification: Safe XRPL verify message.\u201d
\nThose offers can get accepted and drain huge amounts of $XRP<\/a>.<\/p>\n