Scammers impersonated generative artist Tyler Hobbs to promote a fake mint of QQL NFTs on the Ethereum network. Detected on October 20, 2026, the scam circulated false claims that minting for the art project had reopened.
A public warning came from Yuga Labs’ VP of Blockchain under the X handle @0xQuit. He warned that multiple fake accounts were attempting to convince the public that the QQL sale was active again, despite no such reopening taking place. The scam claimed victims: at least one person reportedly had their wallet drained, while another potential victim was saved by protection from transaction security tool Pocket Universe.
Replicating the Exact 2022 Auction Scheme
To carry out the scheme, the scammers promoted a fake Dutch auction offering 900 QQL Mint Passes with an opening price of 50 ETH. These figures and the offering structure were designed by copying the exact details of the original QQL auction held in September 2022.
In the original September 2022 auction, the collaborative generative art project created by Tyler Hobbs and Dandelion Mané sold 900 Mint Passes to the public on the Ethereum network. The auction opened at 50 ETH and gradually decreased until closing at 14 ETH per pass. All passes sold out in under an hour, raising 12,600 ETH, worth approximately $16.7 million at the time of the transaction. The project itself has a total supply of 999 passes, comprising 900 public passes and 99 reserved passes.
Original Passes Never Expire
Holders of original passes are not subject to any deadline to mint their artwork. Official QQL documentation confirms that official Mint Passes never expire. Legitimate pass holders can still mint their QQL NFTs at any time directly through the official system without waiting for a new auction to open.
QQL organizers have already warned about the existence of counterfeit Mint Pass collections in their official documentation. Buyers are advised to always verify official links before making any transactions to avoid interacting with copycat contracts.
Details on Scammers Remain Undisclosed
In the posted warning, @0xQuit did not identify the fraudulent accounts involved or share screenshots of the posts in question. The total financial losses resulting from the scam have also not been independently confirmed.
The incident highlights a vulnerability frequently exploited by scammers who recycle valid historical data to deceive victims. For crypto wallet holders, installing transaction security tools like Pocket Universe proves its practical value in distinguishing legitimate contract interactions from wallet-draining attempts.
Reported by crypto.news.
Also read: What Are NFTs and How Do They Work?
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
