David Schwartz Thwarts Scammers' Plans, Prevents Them from Stealing People's XRP

Updated: 2026-08-05

Crypto scammers created a nearly flawless clone of the Ripple website to rob $XRP investors. However, their plans were thwarted by David Schwartz, the chief architect of the $XRP Ledger.

In response to a screenshot of the new site, he simply attached a GIF image with the caption: "THIS IS A SCAM!", and likely saved the community from financial loss.

The website is crafted as if it were made by Ripple's own designers. It uses the same rich blue color, brand fonts, logo, and a "Buy $XRP" button in the corner.

However, the site features a large banner with the text "Something awaits those who never sold." Below is a more subtle manipulation: "We can't say what it is. But it's a reward for patience, not for speculation."

Investors were offered an exclusive and "early access" before closure. The ending is predictable: the "Get Early Access" button triggers a cryptocurrency withdrawal mechanism. As soon as the user confirms the transaction from their wallet, their $XRP balance instantly drops to zero.

This fake website was part of a wave of attacks targeting the $XRP Ledger ecosystem in early August. The scammers are clearly using leaks of investor databases and methods developed to bypass spam filters.

The main weapon of hackers today is not a technical vulnerability in the blockchain, but social engineering. Malicious actors skillfully apply pressure with messages like "act now before it's too late," prompting the user to click the confirmation button.

It must be remembered that Ripple does not have hidden loyalty programs, secret support funds, or private pools for "those who never sold." Any such offer is a scam.