How to recognize and avoid getting scammed by fake SingularityNET websites

What kind of scam is "SingularityNET - AGIX"?

After inspecting "SingularityNET - AGIX", we determined that it is a scam. This scheme operates as a cryptocurrency drainer and imitates the official website of the SingularityNET (SNET) platform. The legitimate website's URL is singularitynet.io, while the discovered imitator's agix[.]re (other variations are not unlikely). Victims of this scam experience cryptocurrency theft.

"SingularityNET - AGIX" scam overview

This scam is run on a site that closely mimics singularitynet.io – the official website of SingularityNET. The real platform is a decentralized network of Blockchain-powered AI services.

This scheme aims to lure visitors into connecting their cryptocurrency wallets to it. Once this is achieved, it starts operating as a crypto drainer. In other words, the funds stored in victims' wallets are drained – automatically transferred to the scammers.

Those scammed by this scheme experience (potentially incredibly significant) financial loss. It is pertinent to mention that reversing cryptocurrency transactions is impossible due to their practically untraceable nature.

Threat Summary:

Name	"SingularityNET - AGIX" scam website
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Disguise	SingularityNET (SNET)
Related Domains	agix[.]re
Detection Names (agix[.]re)	Emsisoft (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (agix[.]re)	104.21.71.84
Distribution methods	Spam social media posts, compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications.
Damage	Monetary loss
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Similar scam examples

"SLEEPLESS AI Airdrop", "Plug Wallet", "SEC Token Refund Airdrop", "MultiBit Airdrop", and "Dymension Genesis" are just some examples of cryptocurrency-draining schemes that we have investigated recently.

There are various crypto-related scams on the Web, but they are by far not the only type out there. The Internet is rife with deceptive and malicious content, and due to its prevalence – we strongly advise caution while browsing.

How did I open a scam website?

The "SingularityNET - AGIX" scam has been observed being promoted by posts made on the X (more commonly known by its former name – Twitter) social media platform. This spam was likely posted using stolen X accounts, as that is standard for cryptocurrency scammers. Note that other promotional methods are likely.

Aside from social media posts, online scams are endorsed by other spam, including forum posts, emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.

Furthermore, deceptive sites can be accessed via webpages that utilize rogue advertising networks. The latter can force-open the former immediately upon access or when hosted content is clicked (e.g., buttons, pop-ups, text input fields, ads, etc.).

Additionally, misspelling a website's URL can result in a redirect leading to a deceptive page (especially prevalent with imitator sites). Adware can also display scam-endorsing adverts and/or force-open webpages running them.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

It is paramount to be cautious while browsing. Fake and malicious online content typically appears genuine and innocuous. For example, intrusive advertisements and spam browser notifications may look harmless yet redirect to unreliable/questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

We recommend paying attention to URLs and entering them with care. We also advise against using websites that offer pirated content or promise dubious services (e.g., illegal streaming, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages are typically monetized through rogue advertising networks.

Should you access a suspicious site – do not permit it to display browser notifications (i.e., do not click "Allow", "Allow Notifications", etc.). Instead, deny notification delivery from such pages (i.e., select "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.) or ignore these requests altogether.

Another recommendation is to download from official/verified sources and treat installations with vigilance (e.g., read terms, explore options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, opt out of additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.) – to prevent bundled/harmful software from infiltrating the device.

If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all threats.

Screenshot of the legitimate SingularityNET website (singularitynet.io):

Screenshot of "SingularityNET - AGIX" scam promoted by a post on X (formerly Twitter) social media platform:

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is "SingularityNET - AGIX" scam website?
• How to identify a pop-up scam?
• How do pop-up scams work?
• How to remove fake pop-ups?
• How to prevent fake pop-ups?
• What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

How to identify a pop-up scam?

Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.

While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.

Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:

• Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
• Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
• Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
• Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
• Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.

Example of a pop-up scam:

How do pop-up scams work?

Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.

Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.

How to remove fake pop-ups?

In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.

In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.

How to prevent fake pop-ups?

To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.

To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.

• If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
• If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
• If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
• Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an online scam?

Online scams are deceptive messages that trick users into performing specific actions. To elaborate, victims can be enticed into connecting their wallets to cryptocurrency drainers, disclosing sensitive data, making monetary transactions, downloading/installing software, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams aim to generate revenue at victims' expense. Scammers profit mainly by obtaining funds through deception, abusing or selling private information, promoting content (e.g., sites, software, products, services, etc.), and proliferating malware.

I have had my cryptocurrency stolen by the "SingularityNET - AGIX" scam, can I get my money back?

Unfortunately, due to the untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions, they are practically irreversible. Hence, victims of crypto drainers are incapable of retrieving their funds.

Why do I encounter online scams?

"SingularityNET - AGIX" has been promoted on X (formerly known as Twitter) posts, likely made by hacked accounts. However, other promotional methods are not unlikely. Spam, in general, is used in scam endorsement (e.g., social media/ forum posts, notifications, emails, PMs/DMs, etc.). Additionally, users can get redirected to deceptive pages by websites employing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, and installed adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner is designed to scan visited sites and detect scam/malicious ones. Therefore, should you enter such a webpage – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be blocked.

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