Avoid getting scammed by fake "QQL Mint Pass" websites

What kind of scam is "QQL Mint Pass"?

"QQL Mint Pass" is a scam that operates as a crypto drainer. This scheme is modeled on the QQL generative art collaborative experiment that is linked to the Archipelago platform. The QQL algorithm allows users who possess a Mint Pass to create (mint) official QQL NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) with their chosen artwork.

This scam claims to be distributing ten thousand Mint Passes. Its goal is to trick users into connecting their wallets to the scheme – thus draining them of cryptocurrency and other digital assets.

"QQL Mint Pass" scam overview

The website running the "QQL Mint Pass" scam that we investigated mimicked the URL of the Archipelago platform. Hence, at first glance – it may appear as the legitimate site. This also suggests that aside from the other known methods used to promote this scheme, the scammers could also be relying on user error when typing the website's address (typosquatting).

As mentioned in the introduction, "QQL Mint Pass" operates as a cryptocurrency drainer. After a victim connects their wallet to the scam, the digital assets stored therein (like cryptocurrency and NFTs) are automatically transferred to the cyber criminals.

Therefore, victims of this scheme experience a financial loss that can be incredibly significant. It is pertinent to mention that due to how untraceable these transactions (like those involving cryptocurrency) are – reversing them is practically impossible.

Threat Summary:

Name	"QQL Mint Pass" scam website
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Distribution of 10,000 QQL Mint Passes.
Related Domains	archipelagio[.]org
Detection Names (archipelagio[.]org)	Emsisoft (Phishing), Ermes (Not Recommended), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (archipelagio[.]org)	104.21.93.171
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

We have examined thousands of online scams; "Binance x MetaMask Partnership", "OPTIMISM Airdrop", "Skyborne Genesis $SKY Distribution" – are merely a few examples of schemes that operate as cryptocurrency drainers.

However, there are numerous other types of scams on the Web. Yet regardless of what lures, disguises, or mechanisms they use – the end goal is usually the same: to generate revenue at victims' expense.

How did I open a scam website?

"QQL Mint Pass" was noted being endorsed through posts on the X (more commonly known by its former name – Twitter) social media platform. It is most likely that compromised accounts were used to make these posts. Typically, cryptocurrency-centered scams are promoted via accounts stolen from genuine organizations, companies, influencers, and so forth.

It must be mentioned that other endorsement techniques are not unlikely. Spam in general is used to push scams (e.g., social media/ forum posts, emails, DMs/PMs, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.). Additionally, deceptive webpages can be accessed through redirects generated by sites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, misspelled URLs, and installed adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

To avoid encountering harmful content on the Web, we advise the following – exercising caution while browsing. To elaborate, deceptive and malicious online content typically appears legitimate and ordinary, e.g., while spam browser notifications and intrusive ads look innocuous – they redirect to unreliable and dubious sites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, etc.).

We advise against using websites that offer pirated software/media or other questionable services (e.g., illegal streaming or downloading, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages are usually monetized through rogue advertising networks. We recommend paying attention to URLs and entering them with care.

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

Another recommendation is to be vigilant with incoming emails, PMs/DMs, and other messages. Attachments or links found in suspect/irrelevant mail must not be opened, as they can be dangerous.

To prevent bundled/hazardous software from infiltrating the system – download only from official/verified channels and treat installation processes carefully (e.g., read terms, study options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, opt out of additional apps/extensions/tools, and so on).

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

The appearance of "QQL Mint Pass" scam (GIF):

Screenshot of a post promoting the "QQL Mint Pass" scam on the X (formerly Twitter) social media platform:

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▼ 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 "QQL Mint Pass" 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?

Essentially, online scams are deceptive messages meant to trick users into performing certain actions. For example, victims can be lured into connecting their digital wallets to crypto drainers, disclosing vulnerable information, making monetary transactions, purchasing products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing software, and so forth.

What is the purpose of online scams?

The purpose of online scams is to generate revenue. Scammers predominantly profit by obtaining funds through deception, abusing or selling private data, promoting content, and proliferating malware.

I have lost digital assets (e.g., NFTs, cryptocurrency, etc.) to the "QQL Mint Pass" scam, can I get my money back?

No, these transactions are practically irreversible due to their virtually untraceable nature.

Why do I encounter online scams?

These scams are promoted on the Web. Deceptive sites are most commonly accessed via links/attachments in spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.) and redirects generated by webpages utilizing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, and installed adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning the websites you visit for rogue, deceptive, and malicious content. If you enter a webpage hosting such – you will be immediately warned, and further access to it will be blocked.

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