Avoid getting scammed by fake "Bitcoin L2 Restaking" websites

What kind of scam is "Bitcoin L2 Restaking"?

After examining this "Bitcoin L2 Restaking" online platform, we determined it is fake. This scam operates as a cryptocurrency drainer. Once a digital wallet is "connected" to this scheme, a mechanism is initiated that begins emptying it of funds.

"Bitcoin L2 Restaking" scam overview

This scam imitates a staking platform that is running a rewards program. It must be emphasized that this scheme is not associated with any legitimate platforms or entities.

After a user links their cyptowallet to this scam, it executes scripts for a cryptocurrency drainer. To expand upon this, funds in the compromised wallet are transferred in automated transactions that may appear vague. Drainers may be capable of roughly estimating the value of digital assets – thus targeting them first.

Victims of scams like "Bitcoin L2 Restaking" can lose all or most of the funds in their wallets. It must be mentioned that due to the nearly untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions – they cannot be reversed.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Bitcoin L2 Restaking" crypto drainer scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Disguise	Cryptocurrency staking platform
Related Domains	stakelayer[.]fun
Detection Names (stakelayer[.]fun)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (stakelayer[.]fun)	104.21.18.231
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

We have investigated countless online scams; "PYTH Retrospective Airdrop", "Claim $GBTC", and "Incoming Unconfirmed Matic Transaction" are just a couple examples of crypto drainers.

Cryptocurrency-specific schemes operate in one of three ways, i.e., draining funds out of exposed wallets, targeting cryptowallet log-in credentials, or tricking victims into manually transferring assets to scammer-owned wallets.

Various lures are utilized to gain and subsequently abuse victims' trust. Scams can be plain and full of mistakes or be elaborate and even believably disguised as content linked to genuine entities (e.g., companies, institutions, organizations, authorities, etc.).

How did I open a scam website?

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

Cryptocurrency-centered scams are commonly encountered via social media spam. We have found the promotion prevalent on the X (formerly Twitter) social media platform. Posts and DMs/PMs endorsing this content may be made using accounts stolen from reputable figures or entities (e.g., celebrities, entrepreneurs, influencers, companies, organizations, etc.).

Another prevalent promotional method is malvertising – specifically intrusive pop-up ads. The advertisements promise various boons, and some even include functional cryptocurrency-draining mechanisms. The pop-ups may even be hosted on legitimate websites that had been compromised.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We highly recommend exercising caution while browsing, as fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. Pay attention to URLs and enter them carefully. Be selective about which pages are allowed to display browser notifications. Do not permit suspect ones to do so, and instead ignore or deny notification delivery (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).

Do not use websites offering pirated programs/media or other questionable services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages are usually monetized via rogue advertising networks. Be vigilant with incoming emails and other messages. Do not open attachments or links present in suspect mail.

To prevent bundled/harmful software from infiltrating the system – download only from official/verified channels and treat installations with care (e.g., read terms, study 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 "Bitcoin L2 Restaking" scam (GIF):

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 "Bitcoin L2 Restaking" 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. For example, victims may be lured into connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, sending money to scammers, disclosing personal information, downloading/installing software, purchasing products, subscribing to services, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are designed to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals may profit by obtaining funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., websites, services, companies, etc.), abusing/selling sensitive information, and spreading malware.

I have lost cryptocurrency to the "Bitcoin L2 Restaking" scam, can I get my money back?

No, these transactions are irreversible because of their practically untraceable nature. Hence, victims of scams like "Bitcoin L2 Restaking" cannot recover their funds.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are primarily endorsed via malvertising (intrusive ads), spam (e.g., social/ forum posts, PMs/DMs, emails, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), sites utilizing rogue advertising networks, and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

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

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