XRP Airdrop Scam Alert: Here's the scheme

The XRP airdrop is the talk of the town, and it is suspected that the XRP airdrop campaign is most likely a scam.

While on X (formerly Twitter), I also saw an advertising post from an account informing about the XRP airdrop, but I was not at all curious about the post, given the promoted nature of the post.

This article is an XRP airdrop alarm that is being spread across many social media, and we will discuss how the scheme works.

XRP Airdrop Scam Alert

A new wave of XRP airdrop scams has recently flooded the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). 

These scams are becoming more advanced, using verified accounts with gold checkmarks to appear trustworthy. 

Many of these accounts impersonate Ripple, the company behind XRP, or even pretend to be Ripple executives such as CEO Brad Garlinghouse.

To make the scheme more convincing, scammers have begun using AI-generated deepfake videos, fabricated clips that falsely show Garlinghouse or other Ripple figures announcing a fake airdrop campaign. 

These videos are often embedded in live streams or promotional posts claiming Ripple is distributing free XRP as part of a giveaway.

The scam typically asks users to send a small amount of XRP to a specific wallet address, with the promise of receiving double the amount back. In reality, once you send your XRP, it’s gone; no tokens are returned.

Read Also: XRP Prediction - Ripple (XRP) Price Forecasts for 2025-2050

Ripple's Official Response

Ripple has publicly addressed the issue, making it clear that they are not conducting any airdrops or giveaways. 

The company has warned the community to ignore such promotions and to verify any announcements through Ripple’s official website or verified social media channels. 

They emphasize that no legitimate crypto project will ever ask you to send tokens to receive more in return.

XRP Airdrop Scam Scheme

Is the Ripple XRP airdrop real or fake? In early 2025, a sophisticated scam targeting XRP holders spread rapidly on X (Twitter). 

The scam impersonates Ripple Labs, the company behind XRP, and falsely claims they are running an official XRP airdrop or giveaway. 

This scheme is designed to steal XRP from unsuspecting users by exploiting trust and urgency.

Read Also: How to Buy XRP (XRP)

Methods Used in the XRP Airdrop Scam on X

1. Impersonation of Verified Accounts

Scammers often begin their scheme by either hacking or creating verified X (Twitter) accounts that appear almost identical to those of Ripple or its executives, especially CEO Brad Garlinghouse. 

These accounts are typically marked with a gold verification badge, giving them an appearance of legitimacy. 

The scammers copy the real Ripple profiles down to the profile photo, banner, username formatting, and even follower count (by using bots), making them look credible to unsuspecting victims.

2. AI-Generated Deepfake Videos

To further convince users, scammers embed AI-generated deepfake videos that show Brad Garlinghouse or other Ripple executives "announcing" a major XRP giveaway. These videos are crafted using advanced AI tools, making the visuals and voice seem real. 

They are frequently played in looped livestreams or posted as pinned tweets, which adds a sense of authenticity and urgency. 

Viewers who aren’t familiar with deepfake technology may mistakenly believe they are watching an official Ripple broadcast.

Read Also: What is DeepFakeAI? Create Deepfake in One Click

3. Fake Airdrop Websites

Scammers also create websites that perfectly mimic the official Ripple site. These fake websites often use URLs that look convincing at a glance, such as rippIe.com (with an uppercase i instead of a lowercase L). 

Once users land on the site, they are prompted to either connect their wallet (which can lead to wallet draining) or send a small amount of XRP to a displayed address to “verify” their identity. These actions are traps; users lose access to their funds, and no XRP is ever sent back to them.

Final Note

The recent wave of XRP airdrop scams on X (formerly Twitter) reveals just how far scammers are willing to go to exploit the crypto community. 

By using verified accounts, AI-generated deepfake videos, and fake Ripple-branded websites, these scammers create an illusion of legitimacy that can easily deceive even experienced users.

The core of the scam is simple but dangerous: users are tricked into sending XRP under the promise of receiving more in return. In reality, once the funds are sent, they’re gone, with no airdrop, no rewards, and no way to recover them.

How to avoid XRP airdrop scam in 2025

Never send crypto to strangers under any giveaway or airdrop promise.

Always verify announcements through Ripple’s official channels.

Be skeptical of urgency-driven messages and too-good-to-be-true offers, even if they come from "verified" accounts.

This is not just a scam, it’s a sophisticated deception exploiting XRP's popularity and Ripple’s public presence. 

Stay alert, stay informed, and help others by spreading awareness of these ongoing fraudulent schemes.

XRP (XRP) on Bitrue

You can easily buy XRP (XRP) on Bitrue. Not only purchase, but you can also sell XRP (XRP) and participate in futures trading. If you are a new user, many rewards are waiting, and you can claim them. But remember, always do independent research before engaging in any crypto trading.

FAQ

1. Is Ripple really giving away free XRP through airdrops?

No, Ripple has officially stated that it is not conducting any XRP airdrops or giveaways. Any promotion claiming otherwise, especially if it asks you to send XRP first, is a scam.

2. How does the XRP airdrop scam work?

The scam typically involves impersonated verified accounts on X, fake airdrop websites, and AI-generated deepfake videos. Victims are tricked into sending XRP with the false promise of receiving more in return.

3. How can I tell if an XRP giveaway is a scam?

A legitimate giveaway will never ask you to send crypto first. Always verify announcements through Ripple’s official website or social media channels, and beware of urgency-driven posts or fake video livestreams.

4. Can I recover my XRP after sending it to a scam airdrop?

Unfortunately, crypto transactions are irreversible. Once you send your XRP to a scam wallet, it cannot be recovered unless authorities intervene very early, which is rare.

5. Where can I report an XRP airdrop scam?

You can report scams to Ripple’s official scam alert page, the X (Twitter) abuse team, and your local cybercrime unit or financial authority to help prevent further victims.