Avoid getting scammed by fake Parcl sites distributing $PRCL tokens
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of scam is "Claim $PRCL"?
"Claim $PRCL" refers to scam websites mimicking official Parcl-related platforms. These sites offer PRCL tokens in bogus airdrops, allocations, giveaways, or presale events.
The scam aims to trick users into exposing their digital wallets to a cryptocurrency drainer designed to empty them of funds. It must be emphasized that this scheme is in no way associated with any legitimate entities.
"Claim $PRCL" scam overview
Fake webpages running the "Claim $PRCL" scam are disguised as genuine Parcl websites – parcl.co and parcllimited.com. Parcl is a blockchain-based real estate trading platform, which allows its users to invest in physical real estate.
The fraudulent pages we inspected – points1-parcl[.]app and app-parcl[.]pro – did not rely on users misspelling URLs of the official sites (typosquatting), but they did closely resemble them. Keep in mind that this scheme could be hosted on other domains. The scam webpages also mimicked the design of Parcl by utilizing associated logos, graphics, etc.
The scheme claims to distribute Parcl network token – PRCL – via giveaway and presale type events. Users are urged to connect their cryptowallets to participate, and if they do so – the wallets are exposed to a cryptocurrency drainer.
It must be stressed that "Claim $PRCL" is not associated with Parcl, Parcl Limited, Parcl Digital, or any other genuine entities.
These scams implement a draining mechanism that entails automated transactions from victims' wallets to scammer-owned ones. The transactions may be obfuscated, thus appearing vague and not raising immediate user suspicion. Some drainers can approximate the value of digital assets and target them first.
Victims of scams like "Claim $PRCL" can lose all or most of the funds stored in their digital wallets. It is noteworthy that these transactions are irreversible due to their practically untraceable nature.
Name | "Claim $PRCL" crypto drainer scam |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
Fake Claim | PRCL token giveaway |
Disguise | Parcl, Parcl Limited, Parcl Digital |
Related Domains | points1-parcl[.]app, app-parcl[.]pro |
VirusTotal Detections and Serving IP Addresses | points1-parcl[.]app (104.21.21.77), app-parcl[.]pro (172.67.168.244) |
Distribution methods | Compromised websites, social media spam, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications. |
Damage | Monetary loss |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Crypto drainer scam examples
"$BCKR PRE-SALE", "DappRadar Airdrops", "$BASING PRESALE", and "BITCOIN BSC scam" are just some examples of cryptocurrency drainer scams.
Crypto-centered schemes primarily operate in one of three ways – cryptocurrency-draining, targeting cryptowallet log-in credentials, and tricking users into transferring funds to scammer-owned wallets for promised benefits.
The Internet is rife with deceptive and dangerous content. Online scams can be basic and full of errors or elaborate and even believably disguised as content connected to legitimate entities (e.g., companies, organizations, institutions, service providers, etc.).
How did I open a scam website?
One of the latest methods utilized to promote scams like "Claim $PRCL" is malvertising, which involves innocuous-looking pop-ups. They are intended to deceive users into linking their wallets to crypto drainers.
These pop-ups may be encountered on legitimate sites that have been compromised, wherein cyber criminals create pages to host malicious intrusive ads.
Cryptocurrency-targeting schemes are also commonly endorsed by spam social media posts, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). The posts can be made using hacked accounts originally belonging to public figures (e.g., celebrities, influencers, etc.) or genuine projects, organizations, companies, and so forth.
Other scam promotion techniques include websites employing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs (typosquatting), spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, PMs/DMs, emails, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), and adware.
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
Fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears ordinary and harmless. For example, intrusive advertisements and spam browser notifications may look innocuous – yet redirect to highly questionable webpages (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, etc.). Therefore, we strongly recommend vigilance when browsing.
Pay attention to URLs and enter them carefully. Be selective about which pages you permit to display browser notifications. Do not enable suspicious ones to do so, and instead ignore or deny the ad delivery from them (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Do not open attachments or links found in suspect/irrelevant mail, as they can be harmful/infectious.
Additionally, do not use websites offering pirated programs/media or other dubious services (e.g., illegal streaming/downloading, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages typically use rogue advertising networks.
To prevent bundled/hazardous software from infiltrating the device – download only from official/verified sources and treat installations with caution (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.).
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 "Claim $PRCL" scam (GIF):
Screenshot of another variant of the "Claim $PRCL" scam:
Screenshot of the official parcl.co website:
Screenshot of the official parcllimited.com website:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is "Claim $PRCL" crypto drainer scam?
- 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 promoted on the Web. Their goal is to deceive victims into performing specific actions, e.g., connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, making monetary transactions, providing vulnerable information, purchasing products, downloading/installing software, subscribing to services, allowing cyber criminals to remotely access devices, etc.
What is the purpose of online scams?
Online scams are designed to generate revenue. Scammers may profit by obtaining funds through deception, endorsing content, selling or abusing private data, spreading malware, and so forth.
I have lost cryptocurrency to the "Claim $PRCL" scam, can I get my money back?
No, these transactions cannot be reversed because they are nearly untraceable. In other words, victims of scams like "Claim $PRCL" cannot retrieve the stolen assets.
Why do I encounter online scams?
Cryptocurrency-centred scams are widely promoted via malvertising, e.g., intrusive pop-ups urging users to connect their wallets. These advertisements can even be displayed on hijacked legitimate websites. Other common endorsement techniques include spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, browser notifications, PMs/DMs, social media posts, etc.), sites employing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs (typosquatting), and adware.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?
Combo Cleaner is designed to eliminate all types of threats. It is capable of scanning visited websites for deceptive/malicious content. Should you enter such a webpage – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be denied.
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