Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz has warned XRP Ledger users about a sharp rise in fake airdrops and giveaway scams.
The warning comes as scammers continue targeting crypto users across social media, Telegram, Instagram, fake websites, and copied support channels. These scams often promise free XRP, but their real goal is to steal funds or wallet access from users.
Schwartz said there has been a “huge escalation lately” in scams aimed at XRPL users. He also warned that most posts promoting free XRP offers should be treated as scams.
Ripple Says It Will Never Ask Users to Send XRP
Ripple has repeated a clear message for users: the company will never ask anyone to send XRP to receive more XRP.
This is one of the most common tricks used by scammers. They create fake giveaway campaigns and tell users to send a small amount of XRP first. In return, they falsely promise to send back a larger amount.
Once the user sends the funds, the scammers disappear.
Ripple has also warned users not to share wallet details, private keys, recovery phrases, personal information, or payment details with anyone claiming to represent the company.
Fake Telegram and Instagram Accounts Target Users
Ripple has already warned about fake Telegram accounts pretending to offer support. The company has clarified that it does not run an official Telegram support channel.
That means users should be careful if someone contacts them on Telegram claiming to work for Ripple. Real Ripple representatives will not ask for payments, wallet access, or personal data through Telegram.
A previous report also highlighted a fake Instagram account pretending to be Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse. The account promoted an XRP giveaway and followed the same scam pattern: users were asked to send XRP first with the false promise of receiving more later.
Scammers Use Real Branding to Look Official
Crypto scammers often make their campaigns look convincing. They may use Ripple’s logo, real images of executives, copied website designs, edited videos, and fake livestreams.
Some scams also use deepfake videos to make it look like a well-known executive is promoting a giveaway. These fake videos can be difficult for casual users to identify quickly, especially when they appear during market hype.
This is why Ripple’s guidance remains simple: if a post asks users to send XRP first, it is a scam.
Wider Crypto Security Risks Remain Active
Schwartz’s warning comes at a time when crypto security threats are becoming more advanced.
Ripple has also started sharing North Korea-linked threat intelligence with Crypto ISAC. This data includes suspicious domains, wallets, and other warning signs connected to fraud and active hacking campaigns.
Recent reports said DPRK-linked hackers had stolen about $577 million in crypto so far in 2026, accounting for a large share of crypto hack losses at that point. Attackers are also moving beyond simple technical exploits and using longer social engineering campaigns to target victims.
XRP Trades Near $1.43
The warning arrived as XRP traded near $1.43, according to crypto.news price data. XRP was down 2.15% over 24 hours, with daily trading volume around $2.17 billion.
The token traded within a 24-hour range of about $1.41 to $1.47.
While price movements remain important for traders, the latest warning shows that security awareness is just as important for XRP holders.
How XRP Users Can Stay Safe
XRP holders should avoid any offer that asks them to send funds before receiving a reward. They should also avoid clicking links from unknown accounts, joining fake support groups, or entering wallet details on unofficial websites.
Users should only rely on Ripple’s verified channels for announcements. They should also double-check usernames, website URLs, and account verification before trusting any crypto giveaway post.
The main rule is simple: real companies do not ask users to send crypto first to receive free tokens.
As fake airdrops continue to spread, XRP holders should treat every giveaway claim with caution.
