TLDR
- Players of the well-known Hamster Kombat game are being deceived by cybercriminals with phishing scams.
- To fool users, fraudsters are utilizing deceptive tactics such as fake token airdrop announcements, conversion trick promises, and fraudulent web sources.
- These cyberattacks emerge alongside the swift expansion of Hamster Kombat and the impending introduction of its digital token.
- In the initial six months of 2024, phishing attacks escalated markedly, with financial losses totaling $314 million.
- Cybersecurity specialists caution that these schemes might proliferate to other locales where the game holds substantial popularity.
The famed mobile title Hamster Kombat has now become the focus of online criminals, who are employing various phishing tricks to extract confidential user details. As the game's user community expands at a rapid pace, the peril to its millions of fans also grows.
Within 81 days, over 239 million people have joined Hamster Kombat, a tap-to-earn venture on Telegram. This astonishing surge has caught the eye of fraudsters keen on exploiting its fame.
Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky recently reported An uptick in phishing schemes targeting enthusiasts of Hamster Kombat.
Among the many tactics used, one involves sending misleading links offering to exchange in-game tokens for real money, often targeting currencies like the Russian ruble.
By clicking these deceptive links and submitting login details, users unknowingly grant cybercriminals access to their accounts, which can lead to data theft, fraudulent message distribution, and even extortion.
Another prevalent trick involves fictitious airdrop promises. Con artists construct websites or send alerts regarding complimentary digital currency tied to Hamster Kombat. These fallacious airdrops are designed to coax users into granting access to their crypto wallets, resulting in potential theft of digital assets.
The surge in such attacks is no accident. Hamster Kombat has rolled out news about launching its own crypto token, HMSTR, which is available for pre-trading at certain exchanges. This development has sparked interest among players and likely led to an uptick in scamming attempts. Olga Svistunova, a cybersecurity analyst with Kaspersky, highlighted that although many of these frauds are currently aimed at Russian users, they could soon extend to areas like the Philippines and Nigeria, where the game has gained popularity.
The increasing volume of phishing attacks linked to Hamster Kombat is mirrored in a broader trend of crypto-based scams. Data from ScamSniffer shows $314 million was lost to phishing across EVM chains in just the first half of 2024, eclipsing the total losses recorded throughout 2023.
Cybersecurity advisers suggest Hamster Kombat players exercise skepticism towards any communications that promise free tokens, discounted digital currency, or straightforward methods to convert in-game tokens into actual cash. Users should be wary of pressing on dubious links, and should never divulge their login credentials or wallet data.
Chief Editor at Blockonomi and founder of UK-based online media firm, Kooc Media. Advocate for Open-Source Code, Blockchain Innovations, and an Inclusive Internet for all.
