Avoid getting scammed by fake $BCB airdrop events
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is the fake "$BCB Airdrop Event"?
After reviewing this "$BCB Airdrop Event", we determined that it is fake. It imitates the Blockchain Bets decentralized sports betting & online casino platform (blockchainbets.app). The aim of the scam site (blockchain-bets[.]net) is to entice users into exposing their digital wallets to a cryptocurrency drainer.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We do not review crypto projects, please do your own research when investing money.
Federal Trade Comission (FTC) states that since the start of 2021, more than 46,000 people have reported losing over $1 billion in crypto to scams – that's about one out of every four dollars reported lost, more than any other payment method.
Fake "$BCB Airdrop Event" overview
As mentioned in the introduction, this scam is disguised as the Blockchain Bets platform. The fake webpage is a close visual copy of this platform, and the URL – blockchain-bets[.]net – resembles the original domain, which is blockchainbets.app. Note that this scheme could be hosted on other domains aside from blockchain-bets[.]net.
The scam page uses an airdrop of the Blockchain Bets (BCB) cryptocurrency as bait. It must be reiterated that this giveaway is fake, and it is not associated with Blockchain Bets or any other existing platforms or entities.
When users "connect" their digital wallets to the bogus page, cryptocurrency-draining scripts are executed. Funds are stolen from cryptowallets in automated transfers. This activity can appear vague and thus not raise immediate suspicion. Some drainers approximate the value of digital assets and prioritize their theft.
It must be mentioned that cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible because of their nearly untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like "$BCB Airdrop Event" cannot recover their funds.
Name | "$BCB Airdrop Event" crypto drainer scam |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer |
Disguise | An airdrop on the Blockchain Bets platform. |
Related Domains | blockchain-bets[.]net |
Detection Names | Fortinet (Spam), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
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. |
Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples
We have inspected numerous online scams; "Degen Airdrop 2", "Cream Airdrop", and "Bitcoin L2 Restaking" are merely a few examples of our latest finds.
The Internet is rife with deceptive and malicious content. While the commonly held belief that scams are poorly crafted and include various mistakes is not untrue, it is not always the case. Online schemes may be competently made, believably disguised as content associated with genuine entities (e.g., companies, organizations, service providers, etc.), or even perfectly imitate legitimate websites.
How did I open a scam website?
Cryptocurrency-draining scams are often endorsed via malvertising, specifically intrusive pop-up advertisements. They promise various benefits, and some of the pop-ups even include operational draining mechanisms. These ads have been observed hosted on legitimate websites that had been compromised.
Additionally, these schemes are commonly pushed through social media spam. Promotional posts and PMs/DMs can be made using accounts stolen from real public figures or entities (e.g., celebrities, influencers, companies, organizations, projects, etc.).
However, other endorsement methods are not unlikely. Techniques prevalent in scam promotion include: spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, browser notifications, forum posts, etc.), websites using rogue advertising networks, malvertising, typosquatting (misspelled URLs), and adware.
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
We strongly advise being cautious while browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. It is important to take note of URLs and enter them carefully.
Additionally, it is essential to be selective about which sites are permitted to deliver browser notifications. Suspicious pages must not be allowed to do so; instead, these requests have to be ignored or denied (i.e., by clicking "Allow", "Allow Notifications", etc.).
We advise against using websites offering pirated software/media or other dubious services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages are typically monetized via rogue advertising networks.
Incoming emails and other messages must be treated with vigilance. Attachments or links found in suspect/irrelevant mail must not be opened.
Another recommendation is to download from official/verified sources and treat installations with care (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of supplementary apps, extensions, 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.
Appearance of the scam "$BCB Airdrop Event" (GIF):
Screenshot of the official Blockchain Bets website (blockchainbets.app):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is "$BCB Airdrop Event" 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?
An "online scam" refers to content hosted on the Internet which is intended to deceive users into performing specific actions. To elaborate, victims can be lured into connecting digital wallets to cryptocurrency drainers, making monetary transactions, providing private data, purchasing products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing software, etc.
What is the purpose of online scams?
Online scams aim to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals can profit by acquiring funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., sites, software, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing vulnerable data, proliferating malware, and so on.
I have lost cryptocurrency to the "$BCB Airdrop Event" scam, can I get my money back?
These transactions cannot be reversed because of their practically untraceable nature.
Why do I encounter online scams?
Online scams are most commonly endorsed via websites using rogue advertising networks, malvertising, spam (e.g., emails, DMs/PMs, social media posts, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), and adware.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?
Combo Cleaner is designed to eliminate all manner of threats. It can detect when a rogue, deceptive/scam, or malicious website is accessed. Should you enter such a webpage – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be denied.
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