Scam alert: MetaMask warns users of deceptive March 31 airdrop rumors

Web3 wallet provider MetaMask has warned its users of “false rumors” of a purported MetaMask airdrop, which appears to have been making the rounds on social media. 

According to a March 28 tweet from MetaMask, there have “quite a few rumors going around” of a MetaMask snapshot or airdrop on March 31.

“These rumors are not only false, but they are dangerous. They create opportunities for scammers and phishers,” warned MetaMask.

Cointelegraph has identified a number of Twitter accounts purporting to be related to MetaMask or a MetaMask token airdrop.

<em>A Twitter account claiming to be owned by MetaMask which links to a phishing website</em>

In its Twitter post, MetaMask has denied the rumors of an upcoming airdrop and has urged users to stay vigilant for fake sites in the coming days.

<em>Screenshot from a phishing website claiming to be MetaMask</em>

The recent rumors may be linked to a “fireside chat” session with ConsenSys CEO and Ethereum co-founder Joe Lubin at ETHDenver 2023 on March 14, who reiterated his firm is “actively working to decentralize” MetaMask. He later reportedly confirmed that they were intending to launch a token.

Lubin also first hinted at a MetaMask token in a Nov. 8 Tweet from 2021, saying “Wen $MASK? Stay tuned.”

While MetaMask has debunked an imminent airdrop, many of the replies from the community suggest they are still hopeful that an airdrop may still occur, but just at a later date.

Cointelegraph has contacted MetaMask’s parent company ConsenSys for clarification about whether there were plans for a future airdrop but was yet to hear back at the time of publication.

Related: Arbitrum’s ARB token signifies the start of airdrop season — Here are 5 to look out for

Activity on MetaMask nearly tripled on the back of the rumors, with data from DappRadar showing that the number of transactions on March 27 reached 21,460 from a baseline of approximately 8,000.

<em>MetaMask activity from Feb. 27 to March 28. Source: DappRadar.</em>

MetaMask saw a similar flurry of activity due to rumors of an airdrop back in November 2021, following recent airdrops from both the Ethereum Name Service and Lubin’s mention of a token.

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