Beware of Fake Celebrity Endorsements and Phantom Bitcoin Balances
The Goweu crypto scam is a sophisticated online fraud operation that leverages deepfake videos of celebrities to lure victims into depositing Bitcoin on a fake trading platform. Promoted via social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, Goweu.com presents itself as a legitimate cryptocurrency exchange offering free Bitcoin through special promo codes. However, itâs a deceptive scheme designed solely to steal funds from unsuspecting users.
Threat Overview
Threat Type | Cryptocurrency Scam / Fake Trading Platform |
---|---|
Associated Domains | goweu.com, bitsowex.com, bitxspark.com, nevofex.com, tokenely.com, xbirex.com |
Detection Names | Not applicable (social engineering scam) |
Symptoms of Infection | â Viewing deepfake videos of celebrities promoting Goweu â Being directed to Goweu.com to claim free Bitcoin â Seeing a fake balance (e.g., 0.31 BTC) after entering a promo code â Being asked to deposit real Bitcoin (e.g., 0.005 BTC) to âactivateâ withdrawals |
Damage & Distribution | â Loss of deposited Bitcoin â Potential theft of personal data and account credentials â Emotional distress and loss of trust in online platforms |
Danger Level | High |
Removal Tool | SpyHunter |
How the Goweu Scam Operates
Step 1: Fake Celebrity Endorsements
Scammers create deepfake videos featuring well-known personalities like Cristiano Ronaldo, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates. These videos falsely endorse Goweu.com as a platform offering free Bitcoin through special promo codes.
Step 2: Distribution via Social Media
The fraudulent videos are disseminated across platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, often through paid advertisements and hashtag campaigns targeting cryptocurrency enthusiasts.
Step 3: Luring Victims to Goweu.com
Viewers are directed to Goweu.com, where they are prompted to register and enter a promo code (e.g., âCR7â or âTiktok11â). Upon entering the code, a fake balance (typically around 0.31 BTC) appears in their account dashboard.
Step 4: The Activation Deposit
To âactivateâ withdrawals, users are instructed to deposit a small amount of Bitcoin (e.g., 0.005 BTC). This deposit is sent directly to the scammersâ wallets.
Step 5: Disappearance of Funds
After the deposit, the platform either becomes unresponsive, displays errors, or disappears entirely. Victims are unable to withdraw any funds, and their deposited Bitcoin is lost.
Evaluating the Threat
How Did I Get Infected?
This scam doesnât involve traditional malware but relies on social engineering tactics. By exploiting trust in celebrities and the allure of free cryptocurrency, scammers manipulate users into willingly providing their funds.
What Does It Do?
Goweu.com masquerades as a legitimate trading platform, displaying fake Bitcoin balances to entice users into making real deposits. The site lacks any actual trading functionality and exists solely to defraud users.
Should You Be Worried?
Absolutely. While no malware is installed, victims suffer financial losses and potential exposure of personal information. The scamâs use of deepfakes and rapid domain changes makes it particularly insidious and challenging to track.
Eliminating Crypto Scam Threats
Step 1: Identify and Report the Scam
- Gather evidence (screenshots, emails, transaction IDs).
- Report the fraud to:
- Your crypto exchange (Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, etc.).
- Law enforcement agencies like the FBIâs IC3 (ic3.gov) or the SEC (sec.gov/tcr).
- The Federal Trade Commission (reportfraud.ftc.gov).
- Blockchain explorers (like Etherscan) to check your wallet transactions.
Step 2: Uninstall Suspicious Software & Apps
- On Windows: Open Control Panel > Programs & Features â Find & Uninstall suspicious programs.
- On macOS:Go to Finder > Applications â Drag unwanted apps to Trash.
- On Android & iOS: Go to Settings > Apps â Uninstall fake crypto wallets or trading apps.
Step 3: Remove Malicious Browser Extensions
- Google Chrome:
- OpenÂ
chrome://extensions/
- Remove any unfamiliar or crypto-related suspicious add-ons.
- OpenÂ
- Firefox / Edge / Safari:
- Go to browser settings > extensions â Delete suspicious ones.
- Clear browser cache & cookies:
- Open browser settings â Privacy â Clear browsing data.
Step 4: Secure Your Accounts & Wallets
Change passwords immediately for:
- Crypto wallets
- Exchanges
- Email & social media
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
- Use Google Authenticator, YubiKey, or Authy.
Move remaining funds to a secure wallet:
- Use a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor) instead of online wallets.
Step 5: Scan for Hidden Malware & Keyloggers
Your system may still have spyware, tracking your keystrokes or redirecting you to scam sites. A deep scan is essentialto detect and remove threats.
âłÂ For a thorough malware check, use SpyHunter. (See Method 2 below.)
Automatic Removal with SpyHunter
If you suspect hidden malware, SpyHunter can detect and remove crypto scam-related malware, trojans, and browser hijackers.
Step 1: Download SpyHunter
Follow SpyHunter installation instructions here: SpyHunter Download Guide
Step 2: Install and Run SpyHunter
- Run the SpyHunter installer.
- Follow the on-screen installation steps.
- Launch SpyHunter after installation.
Step 3: Perform a Full Malware Scan
- Click âStart Scan Nowâ.
- Let SpyHunter scan for:
- Crypto-stealing malware
- Browser hijackers redirecting to fake exchanges
- Phishing-related spyware
Step 4: Remove All Detected Threats
- Click âFix Threatsâ to eliminate malicious programs.
- Restart your system to complete the cleanup.
Step 5: Enable Real-Time Protection for Future Security
Activate SpyHunterâs real-time protection to:
- Block phishing & scam websites
- Prevent future infections
- Monitor system vulnerabilities
Proactive Prevention: How to Avoid Crypto Scams
- NEVER share your private keys or seed phrases â even with âsupport teams.â
- Always verify URLs before logging in to exchanges.
- Use only official wallet apps from trusted sources.
- Ignore unsolicited investment offers via Telegram, Discord, and social media.
- Check for HTTPS & security certificates before entering login details.
- Regularly scan your device for hidden malware and spyware.
- Store crypto in a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor) rather than online wallets.
Conclusion
The Goweu crypto scam exemplifies the dangers of online fraud in the cryptocurrency space. By leveraging deepfake technology and social media platforms, scammers create a veneer of legitimacy that can deceive even cautious users. Itâs crucial to remain vigilant, verify the authenticity of online offers, and avoid platforms that require deposits to access supposed rewards.