Avoid getting scammed by fake "STAKE MERLIN SPELLBOOKS" website

What kind of scam is "STAKE MERLIN SPELLBOOKS"?

"STAKE MERLIN SPELLBOOKS" is a scam presented as a platform that allows users to buy, stake, and swap Merlin's Spellbook NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). However, it actually operates as a cryptocurrency drainer that steals digital assets from victims' cryptowallets.

"STAKE MERLIN SPELLBOOKS" scam overview

This scam is disguised as a platform for purchasing, staking, and swapping Merlin's Spellbook NFTs. When a user attempts to connect their digital wallet to this bogus website, they expose it to a crypto drainer.

It must be stressed that this scam is in no way associated with any legitimate platforms or entities.

Drainers operate by performing automated transactions from victims' wallets to scammer-owned ones. The transactions can appear vague and thus not raise immediate suspicion. Some drainers are capable of approximating the value of digital assets and targeting them first.

The scope of the financial loss depends on the value of the stolen assets. Due to the untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions – they cannot be reversed, and victims cannot retrieve their funds.

Threat Summary:

Name	"STAKE MERLIN SPELLBOOKS" crypto drainer scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Disguise	Merlin's Spellbook NFT platform
Related Domains	gets-merlinstarter[.]com
Detection Names (gets-merlinstarter[.]com)	Ermes (Not Recommended), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (gets-merlinstarter[.]com)	104.21.34.19
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. ▼ 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.

Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples

"Procreation AI Presale Registration", "CATCOIN Allocation", "Lucky Bridge BSC To ETH LBLOCK", and "$WUF Airdrop" are merely a few examples of crypto drainers.

Online scams are countless on the Web; they vary in appearance and methods used to deceive victims. However, the end goal of this content is the same throughout – to generate revenue for cyber criminals.

How did I open a scam website?

Cryptocurrency-draining scams are often endorsed through social media spam, especially on X (formerly Twitter). The posts and direct/private messages can be made using reputable accounts (i.e., ones stolen from companies, organizations, influencers, etc.), and thus scammers create an impression of legitimacy.

Additionally, these schemes are promoted via intrusive ads. The pop-ups may include crypto-draining mechanisms and trick users into exposing their wallets by promising some kind of benefit. It is pertinent to mention that these advertisements were observed being hosted on legitimate websites that had been hacked.

Other widespread promotional methods are sites using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), malvertising, mistyped URLs (typosquatting), and adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We highly recommend being vigilant while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears genuine and innocuous. For example, intrusive advertisements and spam browser notifications may look harmless – yet redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., gambling, scam-promoting, adult dating, etc.).

It is essential to pay attention to URLs and type them carefully. Suspicious pages must not be allowed to display browser notifications; instead, the requests have to be ignored or denied (i.e., by pressing "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Incoming emails and other messages must be approached with caution. Attachments or links found in suspect mail must not be opened, as they can be harmful/virulent.

We advise against using websites offering pirated content or other dubious services (e.g., illegal streaming or downloading, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages typically employ rogue advertising networks.

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

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 "STAKE MERLIN SPELLBOOKS" scam (GIF):

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Quick menu:

• What is "STAKE MERLIN SPELLBOOKS" 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?

Online scams are deceptive messages designed to trick users into performing specific actions. To elaborate, victims can be enticed into connecting cryptowallets to cryptocurrency drainers, disclosing vulnerable information, making monetary transactions, downloading/installing software, purchasing products, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams aim to generate revenue at victims' expense. Scammers primarily profit by acquiring funds through deception, selling/abusing private data, promoting content (e.g., sites, products, services, etc.), and proliferating malware.

I have lost cryptocurrency to the "STAKE MERLIN SPELLBOOKS" scam, can I get my money back?

Cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because of their nearly untraceable nature. Hence, victims of scams like "STAKE MERLIN SPELLBOOKS" cannot return their funds.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are predominantly endorsed through spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, PMs/DMs, emails, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), websites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, malvertising (malicious advertisements), and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner is designed to scan devices and eliminate all manner of threats. It is capable of detecting when a user enters a website hosting deceptive/malicious content. Combo Cleaner can also restrict all further access to such sites.

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