‘It’s a Scam!’: Ripple’s David Schwartz Shatters New Clone Site Targeting XRP Holders

Crypto scammers created an almost flawless clone of Ripple’s website to rob XRP investors. The plan might have worked, but it was completely derailed by XRP Ledger chief architect David Schwartz. 

Responding to a screenshot of the new site on X, he did not issue a lengthy press release, but simply attached a GIF with the caption: “IT’S A SCAM!” and may have saved the community from losing money.

Bait for patient investors

The website looks as though it was built by Ripple’s own designers. It uses the same deep blue color, branded fonts, logo and a “Buy XRP” button in the corner.

But the devil is in the wording. The scammers decided to exploit the loyalty and psychology of HODLers — people who have held the token for years and refused to sell during price declines.

A large banner promises: “Something is coming for those who never sold.” Below it is a subtler manipulation: “We can’t say what it is. But it’s a reward for patience, not speculation.”

Investors are offered exclusivity and “early access” before the doors close. The ending is predictable: the “Get Early Access” button triggers a crypto drainer. Once a user approves the transaction from their wallet, their entire XRP balance instantly disappears.

A week of widespread XRPL phishing

This fake website is part of a powerful wave of attacks targeting the XRP Ledger ecosystem in early August. Scammers have clearly gone all in, using leaked investor databases and methods designed to bypass spam filters.

On Aug. 1–2, the popular Xaman wallet, formerly known as Xumm, was also targeted. Attackers compromised its verified X account and began aggressively promoting an “XMN” token supposedly issued by the wallet’s team. Xaman founder Wietse Wind quickly issued a firm denial — there is no token, there has never been one, and there never will be one.

The hackers’ main weapon now is not a technical blockchain vulnerability but social engineering. They create an attractive image, pressure the victim with messages such as “act before the doors close” and make the user click the confirmation button themselves.

The XRP Ledger is designed so that transactions are irreversible. If an investor voluntarily signs a transaction or enters a secret phrase on a fraudulent website, even David Schwartz himself cannot recover the funds.

Ripple has no hidden loyalty programs, secret support funds or private pools for “those who never sold.” Any such offer is a scam.