The Monad project, an emerging Layer-1 blockchain that has been gaining traction ahead of its token launch, recently faced a serious phishing incident. Malicious actors exploited Telegram’s advertising system to promote fake airdrop claim portals directly within Monad’s official Telegram announcement channel — a space where followers expect verified information only.

The scam first came to light when Monad’s co-founder, Keone Hon, alerted the community that Telegram had allowed sponsored ads that mimicked Monad’s legitimate claim website. He urged users to avoid clicking on any advertised links and clarified that the only authentic claim portal is claim.monad.xyz.

This revelation sparked discussions across the crypto community, with users questioning how Telegram’s ad system could be manipulated to deliver phishing content in a trusted, official channel.

How the Scam Worked

The fraudulent campaign was particularly dangerous because of its subtlety and precision.

1. Deceptive ad placement – The scammers didn’t just post spam messages; they bought Telegram ad space, allowing their fake airdrop links to appear inside Monad’s official announcement channel. This made the phishing attempt appear far more legitimate than typical spam posts.
2. Fake claim portals – The advertised links directed users to websites that perfectly imitated the layout and branding of Monad’s real claim page. Unsuspecting users were prompted to connect their wallets or approve suspicious transactions.
3. Psychological pressure – The timing of the attack was strategic. The real Monad airdrop was approaching, creating excitement and urgency. Scammers took advantage of this by using countdowns and “claim now before it’s too late” language to rush victims into clicking.
4. Platform loopholes – Telegram’s advertising rules prohibit malicious or misleading financial content, yet the phishing ads still managed to slip through. This raised concerns about how effectively the platform screens sponsored crypto promotions.

Monad’s Response

Monad’s core team acted swiftly once the issue was detected.

• They issued official warnings through their verified communication channels, reminding users that no claim links would ever be shared through Telegram ads.
• The team reiterated that the legitimate claim portal would remain open for three weeks, emphasizing that there was no need to rush.
• Users were urged to triple-verify any links, domain names, and official announcements before taking any action.

The company also called on Telegram to improve ad verification systems to prevent such fraudulent activity from reoccurring. Despite their rapid response, the incident has slightly dented user confidence — especially among new investors unfamiliar with how phishing campaigns operate in Web3 environments.

Market Implications & Key Risks

This incident highlights several deeper issues for both crypto projects and communication platforms:

1. Reputation Damage
   Even though Monad wasn’t directly responsible, scams like this can damage a project’s reputation. New users might associate the incident with the project’s security posture and hesitate to participate in future airdrops or token events.
2. User Trust in Communication Channels
   Telegram is one of the most widely used platforms for crypto updates. If official channels can host malicious ads, it erodes trust across the entire ecosystem. Users may begin doubting every announcement, even legitimate ones.
3. Security Responsibility Shift
   This event underscores that both platforms and project teams must take joint responsibility. While platforms like Telegram must improve their moderation, projects should also conduct proactive user education to teach followers how to identify authentic sources.
4. Regulatory & Compliance Risks
   As crypto scams become more sophisticated, regulators could start scrutinizing how platforms like Telegram handle paid crypto promotions. New compliance frameworks for ad vetting may be introduced in the future.
5. Market Behavior
   Despite the scare, market enthusiasm around Monad remains strong. The project’s upcoming token launch continues to generate significant speculative interest, particularly on futures markets. However, events like this can create short-term volatility and fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD).

A Wider Trend: The Rise of Sophisticated Phishing

The Monad Telegram scam is part of a much larger pattern. Web3 phishing attacks have evolved from random spam into highly targeted, well-designed social engineering traps.

• Telegram as a Vector: The app’s popularity among crypto communities makes it a prime target for scammers. Its ad system, bots, and large group channels provide fertile ground for deceptive tactics.
• Advanced Cloning: Attackers are now capable of cloning legitimate websites almost perfectly, even down to SSL certificates and user interface elements.
• Automation Tools: Some groups use AI-powered scripts to generate domain variations or automatically redirect victims to new pages when one gets flagged.
• Growing Losses: Reports across the industry indicate that phishing-related crypto thefts have risen dramatically over the past year, especially during token airdrop seasons.

As the industry matures, the sophistication of cyberattacks continues to evolve in parallel — often outpacing the average user’s ability to detect fraud.

How Users Can Stay Safe

To safeguard against similar scams, experts recommend these best practices:

• Never click on links from Telegram ads, even if they appear inside an official channel.
• Manually type the URL of any airdrop or claim portal in your browser, ensuring the domain matches the official website exactly.
• Verify announcements across multiple official platforms such as Twitter, Discord, and the project’s website before acting.
• Use hardware wallets to minimize exposure to malicious contract approvals.
• Stay patient — legitimate airdrops rarely require immediate action. Scammers rely on urgency and fear of missing out.
• Report fake ads and scams to the community to prevent others from falling victim.

Conclusion

The fake Telegram ad campaign targeting Monad’s airdrop serves as a wake-up call for the entire crypto industry. As Web3 grows, scammers are adopting increasingly professional methods — exploiting trust, timing, and platform loopholes to steal digital assets.

The lesson is clear: security and education must evolve together. Platforms need stricter ad verification, and users must approach every “official” link with skepticism until verified from multiple sources.

In the decentralized era, vigilance is the new form of security — and every click should be a conscious, verified one.