- A scammer cloned the official Influencer Pepe (INPEPE) website using a fake domain (influencerpepe.ink) and altered the wallet address to steal investor funds.
- The fraudulent website was promoted via Google Ads, appearing at the top of search results, tricking users into interacting with the scam site.
- AltcoinBreaking warns crypto investors to verify domains, avoid sponsored links, and report suspicious ads to Google to stay protected from such phishing scams.
A scammer has cloned the official website of a new meme coin project, Influencer Pepe (INPEPE), to deceive crypto investors and drain funds from unsuspecting victims.
Source: Google Screenshot of Fake Influencer Pepe domain shown at the top of Google search results via sponsored ad.
The fraudulent scheme, now exposed exclusively by AltcoinBreaking, involves promoting a nearly identical replica of the official site through Google Ads to trick users.
Fake Domain Replicates Official Site to Mislead Investors
The legitimate website of Influencer Pepe is:
Official Website: https://influencerpepe.com/en
However, a fake domain has been launched by the scammer:
Fake Website: https://influencerpepe.ink
The fake domain replicates every characteristic of the original website, including the look and feel, content, and branding. The only change is the wallet address so the incoming funds reach the scammer directly.
Google Ads Used to Promote the Fake Site
Promoting the fraudulent website via Google Ads makes this particular scam so dangerous. The fake website with Influencer Pepe as a title often appears at the top of the page as a sponsored advertisement (paid advertisement for a click). When someone searches Google for ‘Influencer Pepe,’ they search or google for ‘INPEPE. ‘
New users click on the first search result and are moved to the copied site without knowing the scam. They consider this legitimate and interact with it, but without knowing it, they send the funds to the scammer’s wallet address.
One of the best phishing tactics is to take advantage of users’ trust in Google search rankings and ad placements, as this is very handy.
Community Alert: How to Stay Safe
AltcoinBreaking urges all users and investors to follow these safety measures to avoid becoming victims of this scam:
1. Verify the Domain
Always ensure you are visiting the official domain: https://influencerpepe.com/en
2. Avoid Sponsored Links
Do not click on Google Ads for crypto-related searches. These ads can be manipulated and lead to malicious websites.
3. Bookmark the Official Site
Bookmark the verified domain so you always return to the correct website.
4. Follow Official Channels
For verified updates, refer to the official social media accounts of the Influencer Pepe project on platforms like Twitter, Telegram, or Discord.
5. Report Suspicious Ads
Report the fake domain and its Google Ads campaign to Google using this link:
https://support.google.com/google-ads/troubleshooter/4578507
A Wake-Up Call for the Crypto Community
It is another incident that serves as a wake-up call that as more and more people become interested in crypto projects during a booming market, scammers get cleverer as well. This is particularly troublesome, as it involves using ad platforms to promote fraudulent domains, and tech companies need stronger control over them.
Crypto investors must proceed with extreme caution when using newly searched or promoted links. Awareness and verification are the best defenses against scams.
Final Words
AltcoinBreaking will closely track this story and present any updates as they happen. Users who have dealt with the fake website should double their efforts to avoid any further transactions and immediately contact the official support team. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and only trust verified sources.
