CoinGecko Sounds Alarm Over New Crypto Scam
CoinGecko’s co-founder and CEO Bobby Ong has issued a warning to the crypto community about a new phishing scheme targeting investors. Fraudsters are sending out fake invitations for a so-called “Exclusive Crypto Travel Summit” in Dubai, falsely claiming that the event is organized by Booking and Coinbase.
Fake Summit and False Partnerships
The fraudulent emails, designed to look official, invite users to participate in a global conference supposedly promoting “crypto-powered travel solutions.” According to the messages, the summit will feature high-profile speakers such as Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin.
Scammers attempt to lure victims by suggesting that Booking and Coinbase have formed a strategic partnership to launch a blockchain-based travel platform. However, both companies have denied any involvement.
Phishing Campaign Evolution
Initially, the fake invitations listed September 30, 2025, as the event date. Later versions of the phishing campaign changed it to November, which, according to Ong, suggests that attackers were reusing or updating templates in haste.
Recipients of such emails are urged not to click on any embedded links or provide personal information. These phishing links are designed to harvest user credentials and drain cryptocurrency wallets.
Official Response from Booking
Following Ong’s public alert, Booking’s security team confirmed awareness of the fraudulent campaign and expressed regret for any confusion caused. The company stated that it has initiated an internal investigation and is coordinating with cybersecurity partners to block the phishing domains.
A Growing Threat to Crypto Users
Phishing attacks remain one of the most common and dangerous forms of cybercrime in the digital asset industry. Experts advise users to verify email senders, avoid suspicious links, and enable two-factor authentication on crypto exchange and wallet accounts.
Bobby Ong emphasized that CoinGecko will continue working to educate the crypto community about new security threats, urging users to remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited event invitations.
