Lionsgate Network recently reported a significant increase in online and crypto-related scams during the holiday season, as fraudsters take advantage of an increase in shopping and digital activity.
The blockchain intelligence agency advises consumers to remain vigilant and emphasizes that quick action is crucial if fraud occurs.
Holiday fraud is getting smarter
While the trend is well known, Lionsgate Network says this year’s wave shows new speed and sophistication.
Many schemes unfold so quickly that victims lose belongings before they notice anything unusual. Criminal groups are now using tight coordination, social engineering and emotional triggers to exploit busy holiday activities.
The company reported that most scams start on major social platforms.
Bad actors use friendly introductions, fake communities, or urgent messages to coerce users into unsafe interactions. Analysts say scammers no longer rely on obvious warning signs. Instead, they copy real profiles, customer support agents and well-known brands with striking accuracy. This realism makes early detection more difficult for the average user.
Lionsgate warned that these tactics focus more on human behavior than technology.
Simple trust, distraction, or curiosity can be enough to expose someone to risk. As a result, the company emphasized the importance of constant awareness throughout the season.
The spike in fraud during the holiday season has prompted analysts to identify clear warning signs that consumers should be aware of.
Spotting the red flags
Many scams now rely on urgency, emotional pressure or messages that appear to come from trusted brands or known contacts.
Suspicious giveaways, unexpected “account alerts,” surprise shipping notifications, and requests to transfer funds to a “safe wallet” are still among the most common warning signs. Even small signals, such as unusual grammar, slight variations in URLs, or sudden demands for quick action, often indicate an attempt at deception.
Lionsgate has developed a ’12 Scams of Christmas’ checklist that provides a practical way to navigate these threats. It highlights tactics such as fake charity pages, lookalike wallet apps, fraudulent investment pitches, and limited-time NFT ($0.00) mints, all designed to empty wallets.
Security experts emphasized the importance of maintaining regular habits such as verifying websites, avoiding unsolicited links, checking app developers’ credentials and using a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi.
They also warn that fake recovery services often appear after a theft, taking advantage of the panic. Scammers rely on distractions during the holiday rush, making hasty decisions particularly dangerous.
Researchers agreed that awareness, patience and skepticism remain the most reliable protection.
The post Crypto scams on Black Friday and Christmas soar appeared first on BeInCrypto.
#Crypto #Scams #Black #Friday #Christmas #Soar #BitRss #Crypto #World #News