Recently, Ellwex.com website appeared, promoting itself as a place where you can securely store cryptocurrency and other assets. I managed to gather credible supporting information that unmistakably indicates it is, actually, a scam service.
Contrary to the claims of Ellwex.com, they will never give back your money. Even though the numbers displayed in the “member area”, there is absolutely no way to take out even a single cent. All commitments regarding crypto incentives are baseless as well.
Ellwex Scam Overview
The main feature that Ellwex attempts to provide is a safe and convenient crypto wallet service. The site promises crypto exchange solutions, tools for managing wallets, transfers, dashboards, and the like. In reality, they aim to emulate the functionality of a crypto trading platform, like Binance or Coinbase. However, it in fact only serves as a cover intended to fool the cautious.
Initially, Ellwex reproduces the appearance of many equivalent pages. There are quite a few examples, like Cawbit, Bitytex or Beastrex. They are completely identical in terms of visual elements, with small discrepancies in the site header. Other particulars, and at times even crypto wallet addresses, are the same. Most likely, all these deceptive online platforms are operated by the same group of fraudsters.
Cryptocurrency Scam Summary
| Website | Ellwex.com |
| Hosting | AS13335 Cloudflare, Inc. United States, San Francisco |
| IP Address | 172.67.200.72 |
| Threat Type | Scam/Fraud |
| Scam Type | Fraudulent offers of cryptocurrency services |
How the Ellwex Scam Works?
Ellwex is yet another webpage within a wide-ranging network of associated crypto deceptive sites. The operators utilize diverse brand titles and websites, like Ellwex.com, to ensnare victims. Nevertheless, these fraudulent websites have in common identical website designs, terms of service, and About Us information. This exposes their beginnings as components of the same fraudulent network, which endorses the identical type of fraud under different disguises. The deceivers just copy the identical fraudulent site under diverse names to deceive users into believing they are joining a fresh opportunity. However, in reality, it’s the same group of swindlers orchestrating the fraudulent commitments and undertakings to seize deposited money. The administrators cleverly utilize psychological tactics and captivating propositions to execute their unscrupulous schemes.
Step 1: Spreading
To begin the scam, criminals create and fill accounts on popular social media platforms. They generally target Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Subsequently, the promotional campaign begins. Employing bots and paid ads (when feasible), fraud actors boost the presence of their deceptive activities to possible victims. This approach permits them to create a broad net and interact with their targeted audience. This audience commonly comprises of cryptocurrency enthusiastic individuals seeking chances to generate profits.
Step 2: Gaining Traffic
Individuals who demonstrate interest visit Ellwex.com via links featured in promotions or bot-generated posts. The webpage uses captivating visuals, design features that appear legitimate, and assertions of possessing a official license, all aimed to convey an initial image of trustworthiness.
Step 3: Data Gathering
To claim their benefits, users must proactively create an account on Ellwex and receive prompts to provide sensitive and private data during the enrollment procedure. This includes linking their cryptocurrency wallets, sharing email addresses, giving phone numbers, furnishing identification papers, and more.
Step 4: Requesting funds
Once registered, users witness significant amounts of cryptocurrency, valued at thousands of dollars, within their Ellwex wallets. Nevertheless, as is typical with such bonuses, you are unable to withdraw them prior to topping up your account. Normally, a deposit of $100 is required to get the sign-up bonus. This prerequisite serves as the snare that ultimately results to the money loss.
Step 5: Disappear
The point in time the payment is made, the fraudsters halt all communication. They move forward to block users, delete accounts, and abscond with both the deposited funds and critical individual data. The phony rewards persist perpetually uncredited, as they lack real existence. They function purely as a phishing strategy. This approach forms the foundation for the deceivers’ capacity to mislead victims and steal hard-earned earnings through their double-dealing internet-based crypto scam.
Signs of Scam
I gathered several facts that point at the scammy nature of the Ellwex.com. Actually, there are a lot of scams that fall under the same points, so they are pretty much universal.
- False Celebrity Sponsorship. Ellwex often resorts to fake endorsements from celebrities such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mr. Beast, and Mark Zuckerberg. This fraudulent tactic extends to claiming partnerships with reputable companies like Coinbase, Binance, or MetaMask, despite lacking any genuine affiliations.
- Cryptocurrency-Only Payments. Ellwex.com exclusively accepts payments in cryptocurrencies, rejecting traditional bank transfers and other methods. This approach not only masks the company’s identity but also eliminates the possibility of seeking refunds.
- Dubious Company Information. Ellwex raises suspicion by withholding essential ownership, location, and registration details. Furthermore, the absence of legitimate contact information and the recent establishment of domain and social media pages intensify skepticism.
- Unsubstantiated Hype. Ellwex.com employs groundless hype tactics, fabricating events like securing contracts with Coinbase or receiving endorsements from Elon Musk. These manipulative techniques aim to instill false confidence and encourage further investments.
- Potential Pyramid Scheme. The scam relies on a structure resembling a Ponzi scheme, leveraging a referral system spread through social media. However, only initial participants benefit, often at the expense of subsequent investors.
- Implausible Claims. Promising returns of 50-100-200%, Ellwex preys on the desire for quick profits. Yet, the volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market makes such gains highly unlikely, definitively labeling Ellwex as a scam.
What Should I do as a Victim?
If you had to deal with Ellwex site and fell victim to that scam, there are still some steps to take. They will make further scam attempts harder, and also boost the knowledge about that scam among folks.
- Immediate Reporting. Your initial step should involve promptly notifying local authorities specializing in financial fraud. Extend your reach by reaching out to wallet providers and engaging with social networks’ technical support teams. These actions serve to raise the bar for the scammers’ operations.
- Share among Friends. Amplify your efforts by informing your close friends about the scam. Similar to informing authorities, this dissemination of information restricts the scammers’ potential victim pool.
- Preserve Crucial Information. Compile a comprehensive evidence archive by capturing screenshots and archiving all relevant website-related data. Collect the website URL, screenshots of the main page, login interface, end-user license agreement (EULA), account top-up menu, and wallet addresses. These records could provide vital clues for authorities in their pursuit of the scammers.
- Exploring Refund Options. While most banks’ refund policies may exclude cryptocurrency payments, it’s advisable to explore potential refund avenues under specific circumstances. Maintain hope until you obtain confirmation of the loss.
- Transform Loss into Knowledge. Turn your financial setback into an opportunity for growth. View your loss as an investment in understanding the strategies employed by crypto scam sites. Familiarize yourself with their telltale characteristics, the methods they employ to entice individuals, and the extravagant promises they make. Equipped with this insight, you’ll be well-prepared to spot and evade future traps without suffering additional financial setbacks.
Scan your system for possible malware infections
Beware of cross scams! Scam actors can use your trust to make you download some stuff or interact with certain documents. It may be a trap that installs malware to your system. There are no moral barriers or limits for these scoundrels.
Throughout the duration of the scam, scoundrels may reach out to you with specific documents. Alternatively, they may offer you to deploy “cryptocurrency wallet applications” or “browser extensions” to facilitate access to your cryptocurrency funds. As we earlier figured out, these rascals have no intent of returning your money. So, what can these messages and browser extensions represent? You guessed – that is another component of the scam designed to throw you into willingly installing harmful applications onto your system.
Both extensions and attachments included to emails can serve as a shell for various malicious software. In this situation, I foresee the presence of spyware and stealers among all kinds of malware. While it is not mandatory for scammers to distribute malware, the probability is always existent. As previously mentioned, their ethics is of no concern, and their dignity is already severely tarnished. They have no principles to lose and strive to boost profits.
Frequently asked questions
- Contact your bank or card provider and ask about chargeback options.
- Save screenshots, receipts, tracking numbers, and emails as evidence.
- Change reused passwords and enable two-factor authentication on important accounts.
- Watch for follow-up phishing emails pretending to offer refunds or delivery updates.
