Unit42 Timely Threat Intel : Sports-Themed Crypto Scams Exploiting Super Bowl Hype

On February 11, 2025, Unit42 researchers Shu Wang, Daiping Liu, and Fan Fei published a timely threat intelligence report highlighting a surge in newly registered domains (NRDs) tied to sports-themed cryptocurrency scams.

These domains were identified in the two weeks leading up to the 2025 Super Bowl, a period often exploited by cybercriminals due to heightened public interest and online activity.

The report revealed that scammers are leveraging fraudulent meme coins and pump-and-dump crypto schemes to exploit unsuspecting victims.

By using sports-themed branding, celebrity imagery, misleading tokenomics, and aggressive marketing tactics, these scams aim to lure individuals into investing in worthless or fraudulent cryptocurrencies.

Tools And Techniques

The primary tools employed by these malicious actors include:

1. Newly Registered Domains (NRDs): A significant number of domains with Super Bowl-related keywords were registered recently to give the appearance of legitimacy. Examples include:
   • nflsuperbowlsol[.]xyz
   • superbowlcoin[.]net
   • supermemebowl[.]com
   • superbowlmemecoin[.]com
2. Social Engineering: Scammers use celebrity endorsements (real or fabricated) and viral marketing strategies to create a sense of urgency and credibility around their fake crypto projects.
3. Fraudulent Tokenomics: These schemes often promise high returns or unique benefits tied to the Super Bowl theme but are designed to collapse once enough victims invest.
4. Pump-and-Dump Schemes: After artificially inflating the value of their tokens through false claims and hype, scammers sell off their holdings, leaving victims with worthless assets.

To protect against such scams, individuals should:

• Verify the authenticity of cryptocurrency projects before investing.
• Avoid clicking on links from unknown or suspicious domains.
• Be cautious of projects promising unrealistic returns or leveraging high-profile events like the Super Bowl for promotion.

Unit42’s timely threat intel underscores the importance of vigilance during major events like the Super Bowl.

By identifying and exposing these fraudulent domains early, cybersecurity experts can help mitigate risks and protect potential victims from falling prey to crypto scams.