Valorant Gift Scam Preys on Gamers
Upon investigation, it was determined that a website purporting to offer gifts for the Valorant video game is fraudulent. This scam falsely promises users one thousand Radianite points for free, operating as a phishing scheme aimed at obtaining Valorant account login credentials.
It is important to emphasize that this scam does not distribute rewards or gifts and is not affiliated with Valorant or its developer, Riot Games. It should be noted that this deceptive activity may be hosted on alternative domains beyond valorant-collect[.]com.
The fraudulent "Valorant Gift" site, valorant-collect[.]com (potentially hosted elsewhere), features various graphics related to the Valorant first-person shooter video game. Despite its apparent legitimacy, this giveaway is a hoax and has no association with Valorant or Riot Games, Inc.
The scam entices users with the promise of claiming 1000 Radianite points, an in-game currency of Valorant, supposedly organized by former Riot Games employees who claim to have been unfairly terminated.
When users attempt to claim the promised gift, they are redirected to a phishing page where they are prompted to enter their Valorant account login details. These credentials are captured and transmitted to the scammers, facilitating account theft.
Video game accounts often contain sensitive personal and financial information (such as names, credit/debit card numbers, etc.). Therefore, victims of scams like "Valorant Gift" not only risk losing their accounts but also face serious privacy and financial vulnerabilities.
How Can You Recognize a Scam Page?
Recognizing a scam page requires careful scrutiny and awareness of common indicators of fraudulent activity. Here are key signs to watch for when determining if a webpage is a scam:
URL Inspection: Check the website's URL for misspellings, extra characters, or unusual domain extensions. Scammers often use domains that mimic legitimate sites but have slight variations.
Secure Connection: Ensure the webpage uses HTTPS (secure protocol) rather than HTTP. Look for a padlock icon in the browser's address bar, indicating a secure connection.
Legitimacy of Branding: Examine the branding and design. Legitimate companies typically maintain consistent branding across their websites. Watch for poor-quality graphics, distorted logos, or inconsistent design elements.
Too Good to Be True Offers: Be wary of overly generous offers or free giveaways, especially if they seem unrealistic or too good to be true. Scammers often use enticing offers to lure victims into providing personal information.
Request for Personal Information: Be cautious of websites that ask for unnecessary personal information, such as Social Security numbers, passwords, or credit card details, especially if it's not a legitimate transaction or service.
Urgency and Pressure Tactics: Watch for tactics that create a sense of urgency or pressure you to act quickly, such as limited-time offers or countdown timers. Scammers often use these tactics to prevent victims from thinking critically.
Unsolicited Pop-ups or Redirects: Avoid clicking on unexpected pop-ups or redirects to unfamiliar websites. These can be indicators of malicious activity, including phishing attempts.
