Unlike older crypto scams that trick you into sending coins directly, a "wallet drainer" scam tricks you into signing a transaction that gives the scammer permission to move your assets themselves — often emptying an entire wallet in seconds, across every token it holds.
Scammers create fake but convincing versions of legitimate websites — NFT marketplaces, token airdrops, or "exclusive" investment opportunities — often promoted through hacked social media accounts or paid ads.
When you connect your wallet and approve what looks like a normal transaction, you're actually signing a permission that lets the malicious contract drain your assets.
Fake token airdrops claiming you're eligible for a free distribution.
Urgent "limited time" NFT mints promoted through compromised influencer or celebrity accounts.
Fake customer support responses on social media offering to "help" with a wallet issue.
Never connect your main wallet to a site you weren't specifically looking for — use a separate, low-value "burner" wallet for testing new or unfamiliar platforms.
Always read exactly what a transaction is requesting permission to do before signing — wallet software typically shows this, even if the interface tries to rush you past it.
Revoke unused token approvals periodically using a legitimate approval-checking tool for your blockchain.
If you've signed a malicious transaction, move any remaining assets to a new wallet immediately using a fresh seed phrase, and revoke all approvals on the compromised wallet. Report the incident to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk.
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