Inibox Scam Prevention Guide: How to Spot Fake Websites and Sellers

The cryptocurrency mining industry is currently witnessing an unprecedented surge in demand. With the rise of innovative hardware like the Inibox, more enthusiasts are looking to enter the mining space to support emerging networks like Initverse (INI). However, this rapid growth has also attracted a wave of sophisticated cybercriminals. At YESMINING, our primary mission is to provide the community with reliable hardware and expert knowledge. Recently, we have received significant feedback from customers reporting financial losses after attempting to purchase Inibox miners from suspicious sources. After a deep dive by our technical team, we discovered a common thread: these victims were lured into purchasing from fraudulent “clone” websites disguised as official brand outlets.

This guide, written from the perspective of an industry-leading hardware distributor, is designed to help you navigate the dangerous waters of online mining hardware sales. We will use the current Inibox scam as a case study and explain how you can protect your capital by choosing trusted partners like YESMINING.

1. The Inibox Alert: Identifying the Official Source vs. Scammers

The Inibox has become a popular choice for home miners due to its efficiency and compact design, specifically for the Initverse/Inichain ecosystem. Unfortunately, scammers have capitalized on its popularity by creating highly convincing “clone” websites. To protect your investment, you must first know where the legitimate brand resides.

Official Manufacturer Website: https://inibox.shop/

Known Fraudulent Example: https://pineconemining.com/

Our investigation found that sites like pineconemining.com often use irrelevant domain names that have nothing to do with mining. They highjack expired domains to inherit an older “registration date” to appear more trustworthy, then skin the site with stolen images and descriptions from the real Inibox store. Once a payment is made—usually via non-reversible cryptocurrency—the seller cuts all communication.

2. A Growing Industry Epidemic: Impersonating Major Manufacturers

At YESMINING, we want our clients to understand that the Inibox scam is not an isolated incident. Drawing from our years of experience in the distribution sector, we have seen this recurring tactic used by professional scammers who impersonate nearly every major manufacturer. It is a widespread industry problem that targets both beginners and experienced miners.

We have identified similar fraudulent setups targeting:

Bitmain (Antminer): Scammers create sites like “bitmain-clearance.com” to trick buyers into paying for miners that never ship.

Micro-BT (Whatsminer): Fake “refurbished” sales are common for these high-power machines, often appearing during periods of high demand.

IceRiver and Goldshell: These brands, known for niche KAS and ALPH miners, are frequently targeted by clones that offer prices significantly lower than the factory MSRP.

As a professional miner distributor, YESMINING avoids these risks by dealing exclusively with official factory channels. We do the vetting so you don’t have to.

3. Five Critical Red Flags of a Scam Mining Website

Scammers rely on the “Fear of Missing Out” (FOMO). In the mining world, hardware is often in short supply. When a buyer sees a supposedly “in-stock” Inibox on a fake site at a discount, they often rush the checkout process. Look for these signs before clicking “Pay”:

A. The “Too Good to Be True” Price: If the market price for an Inibox 850M is around $700–$900 and a website is selling it for $399, it is 100% a scam. No legitimate distributor sells at a loss.

B. Non-Reversible Payment Methods: If a site insists on payment only via Western Union, Wire Transfer to a personal name, or “Friends and Family” crypto transfers without any buyer protection, this is a major red flag.

C. Fake “Urgency” Timers: Scammers use countdown clocks (“Sale ends in 10 minutes!”) to pressure you into making a mistake without checking the site’s legitimacy.

D. Lack of Physical Presence: Check the “Contact Us” page. Is there a real physical address? If the address is a residential house or a random parking lot in another country, stay away.

E. Domain Inconsistency: If the site claims to be an “Official Inibox Partner” but the domain is “cheap-mining-gear-now.com,” it is a fraudulent site.

4. The YESMINING Advantage: Why Factory-Direct Sourcing Matters

Many customers ask: “Why should I buy from a distributor like YESMINING instead of trying to find the manufacturer myself?” The answer lies in security and technical verification.

At YESMINING, we act as your first line of defense. We don’t buy from random “secondary suppliers” or “trading companies.” Our machines, including the Inibox series, are sourced directly from official factory lines. This ensures three things:

1. Authenticity: Every machine is guaranteed to be a genuine product from the manufacturer.

2. Warranty Protection: Because we source through official channels, your manufacturer warranty is valid and enforceable.

3. Tested Hardware: We vet the hardware quality before it ever reaches our inventory, ensuring that you receive exactly what you paid for.

5. Technical Verification: How to Check a Site Before Buying

If you are unsure about a website, use these pro-tips from our security team:

Check Domain Age: Use a “Whois” lookup tool. If a company claims to have been a leader since 2018, but their website was registered 14 days ago, it is a scam.

Review the SSL Certificate: Click the padlock icon in your browser. Look at who the certificate was issued to. If the details are hidden or mismatched, proceed with extreme caution.

Search for Third-Party Reviews: Don’t trust reviews on the seller’s own site. Look at Trustpilot, Reddit, or specialized mining forums like Bitcointalk. If people are reporting “non-delivery,” believe them.

6. Buying and Setting Up Your Inibox Safely

To ensure you are getting the real hardware and the support you need, we recommend purchasing from our verified stock. You can find the authentic Match Inibox 850M 500W INI Initverse Miner directly on our platform.

Buying the right hardware is only the first step. To protect your mining rewards, you must also set up your machine correctly. Scammers often distribute “fake firmware” or “configuration guides” that secretly redirect your hash power to their own wallets. To help our community, we have published a verified, step-by-step guide: How to Set Up the Inibox 850M Initverse Miner Safely.

7. Recovery Steps: What to Do if You Have Been Scammed

If you have already interacted with a site like pineconemining.com or other suspicious sellers, take these steps immediately:

Stop All Payments: Do not send more money for “customs fees” or “shipping insurance.” Scammers often try to squeeze a second payment out of victims before disappearing.

Contact Your Bank: If you paid via credit card or bank transfer, notify your fraud department immediately. While crypto transfers are hard to reverse, credit card companies can often initiate a chargeback for non-delivery of goods.

Report the Site: Submit the scam URL to Google Safe Browsing and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). This helps take the site down so others aren’t victimized.

Secure Your Data: If you used a common password on the scam site, change your passwords on your email and exchange accounts immediately.

Conclusion: Invest with Confidence

The world of crypto mining is exciting and profitable, but it requires a high level of vigilance. The surge in fake Inibox websites is a reminder that scammers are becoming more daring, impersonating industry giants like Bitmain and Micro-BT. Don’t let the promise of a “cheap deal” lead to a total loss of your capital.

Trust the experts who have a proven track record in the industry and who source directly from the factories. Ready to start mining safely? Skip the risks of fake websites and visit our product page to get your genuine Match Inibox 850M today. By following our official setup guide, you can ensure your mining journey starts on the right foot.

Shop Smart. Mine Hard. Stay Secure with YESMINING.