NFT Marketplace That Was Built to Steal
When NFTs became a buzzword, I decided to try selling my digital artwork. After researching popular marketplaces, I stumbled upon a platform called ArtChainX, which marketed itself as a space for independent artists. The website boasted a community of buyers and creators, low transaction fees, and tools to help artists showcase their work globally.

The signup process was smooth, and I was impressed by the platform’s interface. To mint an NFT, I had to connect my wallet and pay a small gas fee. I minted my first piece and listed it for sale. Within a day, I received a direct message from someone claiming to be a buyer interested in purchasing my work for three times the listing price. They seemed genuine, asking detailed questions about my art and offering praise.

The buyer said they wanted to finalize the sale but needed me to confirm my wallet address through a “secure verification link.” Excited about the sale, I clicked the link, which led to a page resembling my wallet provider’s interface. It asked for my wallet credentials and a transaction signature to verify ownership. Without much thought, I complied.

Within minutes, my wallet was emptied. Not only was my NFT gone, but so were my other crypto holdings, including $5,000 worth of Ethereum I had saved for future projects. I contacted the marketplace for help, but they didn’t respond. Shortly after, the website went offline, and I realized the entire platform was a scam.

The scammers had created a fake marketplace to lure artists and buyers, using phishing techniques to gain access to wallets. The glowing testimonials and professional design were all part of their elaborate scheme.

This experience taught me to stick to established NFT marketplaces and always double-check any links or requests for wallet information. If someone contacts you with an offer that seems too good to be true, it likely is. Protecting your digital assets requires constant vigilance—never share wallet credentials or sign transactions without verifying their purpose.