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BlogNews23RD NOV 2024
AuthorSamir Yawar
3 min read
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BlueSky Crypto Scam: Amidst User Surge, BlueSky Clamps Down on New Scams

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Bluesky Crypto scam blog image

As BlueSky continues to attract users migrating from platforms like X/Twitter, the decentralized microblogging service is also drawing the attention of cryptocurrency scammers. This week, BlueSky surpassed 20 million users, but with growth comes new challenges. Users need to beware of the BlueSky crypto scam, which has left the fledging platform flooded with complaints.

Here are the details of the new BlueSky crypto scam, and how it made its way to the platform.

1. BlueSky Crypto Scams Overwhelm X Competitor
2. BlueSky’s Safety Team Overwhelmed
2.1 3,000 Reports Per Hour
2.2 Decentralization Brings Unique Challenges
3. Conclusion - The Way Forward Against BlueSky Crypto Scams

BlueSky Crypto Scams Overwhelm X Competitor

Over the years, platforms like X/Twitter have become hotspots for various scams, including fake crypto giveaways, wallet drainers, and pump-and-dump schemes. Now, with BlueSky nearing a 21 million userbase, scammers are beginning to exploit the platform.

One such scam featured an AI-generated image of Mark Zuckerberg promoting crypto assets like "MetaChain" and "MetaCoin." The post misleadingly associated the products with Meta and its Metaverse concept.

The website MetaChain[.]cash impersonated Meta’s branding and messaging to lend credibility to the scam. Another post falsely claimed users had won "$900k in FREE Satoshi Bitcoin" and directed them to a GitHub Pages website, which has since been taken down.

BlueSky’s Safety Team Overwhelmed

3,000 Reports Per Hour

The BlueSky safety team reported a significant increase in user activity and unwanted content:

  • In a single day, over 42,000 reports were submitted, an all-time high.

  • The platform now processes an average of 3,000 reports per hour.

BlueSky’s safety team emphasized their commitment to addressing the surge, stating:

“With this significant influx of users, we’ve also seen increased

Decentralization Brings Unique Challenges

BlueSky operates on the AT Protocol, allowing anyone to create and manage their BlueSky instance. While this decentralized model provides users with more freedom and control, it introduces new hurdles:

  • Third-Party Instances:

    Scammers can host dubious content on their own BlueSky servers. Posts from these instances can interact with users on other servers, including BlueSky Social’s main server, bsky.app.

  • Search Engine Indexing:

    Posts from third-party servers can appear in search engine results, potentially amplifying scams through

    SEO poisoning.

The decentralized nature of BlueSky limits the moderation capabilities of its core team, making it harder to tackle harmful content across all instances.

Conclusion - The Way Forward Against BlueSky Crypto Scams

While BlueSky’s decentralized structure promotes independence, it also calls for innovative moderation solutions. As the platform grows, striking a balance between user freedom and robust security measures will be critical in maintaining trust and safety.

Samir Yawar
Samir Yawar / Content Lead
Samir wants a world where people can instinctively whack online scams and feel accomplished without the need for psychic powers. As an ISC2 member, he is doing his bit to turn cybersecurity awareness training into a fun concept with simple, approachable and accessible content. Reach out to him at X @yawarsamir
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FAQsFrequently Asked Questions
BlueSky is a decentralized microblogging platform based on the AT Protocol, which allows users to create and manage their own instances. This provides more freedom and control over content compared to centralized platforms like X/Twitter.
As BlueSky’s user base grows, scammers are exploiting the platform’s decentralized nature to post misleading content. These scams include fake giveaways, impersonations of tech brands like Meta, and dubious cryptocurrency promotions.
Scammers use AI-generated images, fake branding, and misleading posts to lure users into visiting fraudulent websites. These sites often impersonate legitimate businesses to trick users into sharing sensitive information or investing in fake schemes.
Verify Sources: Be cautious of posts offering free cryptocurrency or promoting unknown assets. Report Suspicious Activity: Use the three-dot menu on posts to report scams. Avoid Clicking Unfamiliar Links: Always double-check URLs for legitimacy.