The Scammers Are Here (2025 Holiday Edition)
The holiday season is in full swing and, unfortunately, so are the scammers. Each year, as people travel, shop online, and let their guard down, criminals work overtime to separate victims from their money.
Modern scams have become increasingly sophisticated. They now rely less on technical expertise and more on psychological manipulation, exploiting trust, fear, urgency, and goodwill. Below we outline some of the most common scam themes currently circulating, together with practical guidance on how to avoid falling victim to them.
Bitcoin Exchange “Support” Calls
One of the most common scams involves a caller or message purporting to be from a major cryptocurrency exchange, such as Coinbase, claiming that an “issue” has been detected on your account. The details may vary, but the requested action is almost always the same: “Please provide your seed phrase to secure your account.”
If anyone ever asks for your seed phrase, it is a scam—without exception. Your seed phrase is the master key to your Bitcoin. Once it is shared or compromised, your Bitcoin can be irretrievably lost.
Two practical safeguards are essential:
First, remove your Bitcoin from exchanges and take 100% self-custody. When your private keys are secured on your own hardware wallet—properly backed up and stored—you no longer need to worry about account alerts or alleged exchange issues. Self-custody eliminates the uncertainty that scammers exploit.
Second, never share your seed phrase with anyone and never type it into an internet‑connected device. If you decide to share it with a trusted family member for estate or contingency planning, understand that you are granting full access to your assets. Such sharing should only ever take place offline, in a secure environment, without cameras, microphones, or connected devices.
Messages from “Attractive Strangers” and Celebrities
Earlier this year, a French woman reportedly lost more than €800,000 after being convinced that actor Brad Pitt was communicating with her and seeking financial assistance. The scammers used AI‑generated images and fabricated medical emergencies to lend credibility to the deception.
Similar scams are common and do not require celebrity impersonation. If an unusually attractive stranger contacts you online and quickly seeks an emotional or financial connection, it is almost certainly fraudulent. While meeting in person is sometimes suggested as “proof,” this carries obvious personal safety risks.
The safest course of action is simple non‑engagement. Advances in artificial intelligence mean that images, videos, and messages can appear convincingly authentic. In practice, these communications are almost always generated by organised scam operations operating remotely.
“We Caught You Watching Porn” Blackmail Emails
Another widespread scam involves emails or private messages alleging that the sender has hacked your computer or smartphone and recorded you viewing adult content. The message typically threatens to distribute the footage to your contacts unless Bitcoin is paid within a short timeframe.
While device compromise is theoretically possible, the overwhelming majority of these emails are mass‑sent intimidation attempts designed to provoke panic. If such threats were genuine, evidence would already have surfaced. The fact that no such material has been shared is usually proof that the claim is false.
Do not engage with these messages. Avoid panic‑driven decisions and ensure your devices are appropriately secured. Preventative measures, including content filtering and basic cybersecurity hygiene, significantly reduce both risk and anxiety.
Watch Out for Fake Bitcoin Wallets
During the past year, a purported “mobile version” of Sparrow Wallet briefly appeared in app stores. In reality, Sparrow Wallet is a respected Bitcoin‑only desktop wallet and does not offer a mobile application. The fraudulent app was designed solely to harvest users’ seed phrases.
This incident highlights an important lesson: branding and availability in an official app store do not guarantee legitimacy. Always verify software directly from the developer’s official website and documentation before downloading or using it.
As a rule, never enter your seed phrase into any internet‑connected device or unfamiliar software.
General Takeaways
Although scams constantly evolve, a few general principles offer strong protection:
- Assume unsolicited romantic or celebrity contact is fraudulent. Non‑engagement is the most effective defence.
- Never share your seed phrase. It should never be typed into a phone or computer or disclosed to anyone requesting it.
- Adopt full self‑custody of your Bitcoin. Holding your own keys removes reliance on third parties and neutralises many common scams.
- Monitor your emotions. Urgency, fear, or pressure to act immediately are classic warning signs. Pause, verify, and seek independent advice before taking action.
Vigilance, education, and calm decision‑making remain your best defences—especially during the holiday season.