Ripple warns XRP holders after fake Instagram account impersonates CEO
Ripple has issued another warning to the XRP community after a fraudulent Instagram account surfaced, impersonating CEO Brad Garlinghouse and promoting a fake XRP giveaway. The bogus profile reportedly contacted users with the now-familiar scam pitch: send XRP first and receive a larger amount in return.
David Schwartz, Ripple’s former chief technology officer, flagged the impersonation on social media and pointed to a similar incident dating back to 2019. The scam follows a common template—borrow the identity of a well-known executive, promise free tokens or outsized returns, and pressure victims into sending funds quickly.
This episode underscores two persistent threats in crypto: impersonation and synthetic media. Deepfake videos, fake livestreams and fraudulent support channels are increasingly used to lend credibility to these schemes. Ripple has repeatedly stressed that it will never ask users to send XRP, nor will its staff request wallet keys, passwords, personal data, or payments via unofficial channels. The company also warns that it does not operate an official Telegram channel—any account claiming to represent Ripple there should be treated with suspicion.
How users can protect themselves
- Never send XRP (or any crypto) in response to a promise of larger returns.
- Don’t share wallet seeds, private keys, passwords, or personal data with anyone claiming to be Ripple staff.
- Verify announcements through Ripple’s official website and verified social handles.
- Report and block suspicious accounts on the platform where you encountered them.
Ripple’s latest alert serves as a reminder that scammers continue to exploit recognizable names and imagery to target crypto users. Stay cautious, verify sources, and never rush into transactions prompted by unsolicited messages.
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