How to Deal With the Tesla Foundation Giveaway Scam

Cybercriminals have once again hijacked the name of a major tech icon in their latest phishing campaign—the “Tesla Foundation Giveaway” scam. This scheme fraudulently claims to be hosted by the Tesla Foundation and offers a fake cryptocurrency giveaway worth $20 million in BTC, ETH, SOL, and DOGE. The scammers use clever psychological tricks, deepfake technology, and fake social media accounts to trick crypto holders into handing over their digital assets.

Let’s dive into how this scam operates, how to spot it, and what to do if you’ve been exposed to it.

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What is the Tesla Foundation Giveaway Scam?

This phishing scam revolves around a fake website claiming to represent a Tesla Foundation-hosted crypto giveaway. It lures users with promises of free cryptocurrency in exchange for sending a small amount as a “verification” or “processing” fee. The site mimics a legitimate giveaway platform, complete with a ticking countdown timer and a deepfake video of Elon Musk endorsing the event to create a false sense of credibility.

Victims are encouraged to act quickly, bypassing their critical thinking due to time pressure and the illusion of authenticity. However, any cryptocurrency sent to the provided wallet addresses is instantly stolen—crypto transactions are irreversible, and once the money is gone, there’s no way to recover it.

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How the Scam Works

1. Promotion through Fake X (Twitter) accounts – Scammers use verified-looking profiles to spread links to the fraudulent site.
2. Fake Elon Musk Endorsement – A deepfake video falsely shows Musk promoting the giveaway.
3. Urgency tactics – A countdown timer pressures users to act fast.
4. Reward bait – Users are told they’ll receive more crypto in return for sending a small initial payment.

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Threat Summary Table

Category	Details
Threat Name	Fake Tesla Foundation Giveaway
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Participants will receive rewards in BTC, ETH, SOL, or DOGE
Disguise	Legitimate giveaway hosted by the Tesla Foundation
Crypto Wallets Used	BTC: 1MUSKNzbdTG41jM8hr7gei8gUqNigkCpfx ETH: 0xE25456A378819eB92BCeeFb7d7A5b8542ff78177 SOL: 5xh8aFP3CU7DWg... DOGE: D6Hyo...
Related Domain	musknext[.]org
Detection Names	alphaMountain.ai: Spam Netcraft: Malicious Seclookup: Malicious Yandex Safebrowsing: Phishing VirusTotal: Multiple Flags
Symptoms	Unofficial domain, unrealistic promises, fake social proof, deepfake videos, urgency timers
Distribution Methods	Fake X (Twitter) posts, misleading crypto forums, deceptive ads
Danger Level	⚠️ High – Financial loss and data exposure
Damage	Loss of cryptocurrency, compromised personal info, erosion of trust
Removal Tool	SpyHunter Anti-Malware

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Eliminating Crypto Scam Threats

Step 1: Identify and Report the Scam

1. Gather evidence (screenshots, emails, transaction IDs).
2. Report the fraud to:
   • Your crypto exchange (Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, etc.).
   • Law enforcement agencies like the FBI’s 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 → Find & Uninstall suspicious programs.
• On macOS:Go to Finder > Applications → Drag unwanted apps to Trash.
• On Android & iOS: Go to Settings > Apps → Uninstall fake crypto wallets or trading apps.

Step 3: Remove Malicious Browser Extensions

1. Google Chrome:
   • Open chrome://extensions/
   • Remove any unfamiliar or crypto-related suspicious add-ons.
2. Firefox / Edge / Safari:
   • Go to browser settings > extensions → Delete suspicious ones.
3. Clear browser cache & cookies:
   • Open browser settings → Privacy → 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.

⏳ For a thorough malware check, use SpyHunter. (See Method 2 below.)

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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

Download SpyHunter Here

Follow SpyHunter installation instructions here: SpyHunter Download Guide

Step 2: Install and Run SpyHunter

1. Run the SpyHunter installer.
2. Follow the on-screen installation steps.
3. Launch SpyHunter after installation.

Step 3: Perform a Full Malware Scan

1. Click “Start Scan Now”.
2. Let SpyHunter scan for:
   • Crypto-stealing malware
   • Browser hijackers redirecting to fake exchanges
   • Phishing-related spyware

Step 4: Remove All Detected Threats

• Click “Fix Threats” to eliminate malicious programs.
• Restart your system to complete the cleanup.

Step 5: Enable Real-Time Protection for Future Security

Activate SpyHunter’s real-time protection to:

• Block phishing & scam websites
• Prevent future infections
• Monitor system vulnerabilities

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Proactive Prevention: How to Avoid Crypto Scams

• NEVER share your private keys or seed phrases – even with “support teams.”
• 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 Tesla Foundation Giveaway scam is a dangerous phishing operation preying on crypto enthusiasts by mimicking a legitimate giveaway. With professional design, deepfake manipulation, and psychological urgency, the scam is crafted to deceive even tech-savvy users. Always verify sources, avoid impulsive actions with cryptocurrency, and never trust offers that seem too good to be true—especially those involving Elon Musk.

If you’ve visited the site or believe you may have fallen victim to this scam, it's crucial to run a malware scan immediately. We recommend using a reputable tool like SpyHunter Anti-Malware to clean your system and ensure your device hasn't been compromised.