Bobby Ong Warns of Phishing Scheme

Bobby Ong, the co-founder and CEO of cryptocurrency data platform CoinGecko, has issued a public warning about a new phishing scam. The fraudulent scheme sends out fake emails impersonating Booking.com, inviting recipients to an imaginary Exclusive Crypto Travel Summit in Dubai.

A Deceptive Invitation

This phishing attempt, which Ong shared on social media, claims that Booking.com and Coinbase have partnered to create a crypto travel service. It mentions notable speakers, including Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, for a supposed event in November 2025. Red flags included an RSVP deadline set in the past, specifically September 30, 2025.

Ong recommends anyone receiving such emails to delete them immediately and has urged Booking.com to report the issue to their security team. The official Booking.com account later acknowledged the problem, expressing regret about the fake emails and requesting details via direct message.

A Persistent Threat in Crypto

This incident is part of a larger trend of scams targeting cryptocurrency users. Recently, Binance’s CEO Richard Teng highlighted the growing complexity of these scams, following two warnings about fraud attempts involving fake agents and phone scams impersonating customer support.

The community’s response to Ong’s alert showed recognition and frustration, with users noting the need for better email security practices. One user commented on the evolving nature of scams, stating, “appreciate the warning, these scams keep leveling up.” Another expressed concern over how to protect against such threats, echoing Ong’s sentiment that scrutiny is essential in the crypto environment.