NFTs or non-fungible tokens are now one of the hottest digital assets ever to be registered on a blockchain, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to change any time soon. Ever since taking the digital market by storm in 2021, these mind-blowing but potentially risky assets have been the talk of the town, captivating many along the way.
As NFTs continue to worm their way into almost every manner of pop culture, plenty of celebrated brands worldwide like Nike, Samsung, Coca Cola, McDonald’s, and so much more have joined the digital brigade. Even influencers like KSI, Faze Banks, Gary Vee, and the guys from Canadian prank empire NELK Boys are continuously posting and promoting projects that they were able to mint in an effort to flip them for a great deal of money, just like how John Knopf, an Emmy-nominated photographer, made USD 1.4 million after selling his sought-after Bored Ape NFT.
There are various reasons behind the fascination of NFTs, one of them centered on the fact that these digital assets can be a form of investment that can be worth quite a lot in the future. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that many will do anything to advance in the business of NFT.
Like with any budding trend, scams and con artists are always present, hoping to prey on the innocence of new and unknowing customers. Projects promising preposterous perks like a chance to win a brand-new Lamborghini once the entire project sells out are considered “rug pulls” and are sketchy in more ways than one.
Just a little while ago, famous comedian, recording artist, and crypto and NFT enthusiast, Nicole Arbour, possibly have just caught one of these deceptions before encouraging her five million-plus fans and a roster of blue tick followers that includes heiress Paris Hilton and American podcaster Joe Rogan, to purchase.
During a very delightful Livestream on Nicole’s Instagram, the well-known influencer put into particulars how a specific NFT project called Bitcoin Wine has asked her to help promote their project, taking into account how she’s been tied to numerous viral and award-winning marketing campaigns for over a decade.
With a hefty price tag of USD 1,000 per NFT, it seems a legit enough offer, with future buyers receiving a nice bottle of Bitcoin Wine along with their digital NFT and guaranteed access to the brand’s whitelist for upcoming NFT drops.
All seemed okay and harmless until Nicole had a light-bulb moment and realized something was amiss. First of all, the project didn’t have a release date confirmed, and second, they couldn’t give Nicole details about the project – meaning, fans could easily spend USD 1,000 for a mere bottle of wine and a digital picture, but no access to the whitelist they were promising. Moreover, Bitcoin Wine’s website specifically expressed that only when 2,500 of their NFTs are sold will they ship out the said bottles of wine.
At that moment, Nicole decidedly walked away from the so-called project, turning down over USD 800,000 in profits to protect her audience. Furthermore, the social media star even offered the deposit back. With all the corruption and deceit going on around the world right now, Nicole’s desire to shield her fans from scams like these is a breath of fresh air.
“I want to encourage everyone to research before purchasing any NFTs or crypto,” Arbour said on her Instagram. “There are a lot of great opportunities out there, but you have to know what to look for. Influencers are being offered crazy money to promote projects without knowing if it’s a solid purchase.”
In response to what has recently happened, Nicole deems it necessary to educate her audience about the complex world of blockchain to avoid deceitful tactics thrown around by crooked people who want nothing more but to make a quick buck. Therefore, Nicole will be releasing several courses on NFTs and Cryptocurrency later this month to help others become more knowledgeable in the field.
