How to recognize fake "GALA" websites

What is a fake "GALA" website?

While inspecting spam emails, we discovered one promoting a fake "GALA" website (aloor[.]net). This bogus site copies the real Gala Games blockchain gaming platform (gala.com). When users try to link their digital wallet to the scam website, it executes scripts to begin operating as 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 "GALA" website overview

This fake website (aloor[.]net) imitates the official Gala Games blockchain platform, which offers play-to-earn gaming that gives rewards in the form of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and cryptocurrencies for in-game accomplishes.

The imitator scam copies Gala Games' graphical appearance. However, it must be mentioned that this scam could be hosted on other domains aside from aloor[.]net. It must be emphasized that this scheme is not associated with Gala Games or any other existing platforms or entities.

After a cryptocurrency wallet is "connected" to the fraudulent page, it triggers a drainer mechanism. Victims' digital assets are transferred in automated transactions to scammer-owned wallets. These transactions may appear innocuous and not raise immediate suspicion. Some drainers can approximate the value of assets and target them first.

It is pertinent to mention that due to the untraceable nature of these transactions – they cannot be reversed. Therefore, victims of crypto drainer scams cannot recover their funds.

Threat Summary:

Name	GALA crypto drainer scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer
Disguise	Gala Games
Related Domains	aloor[.]net
Detection Names (aloor[.]net)	Combo Cleaner (Phishing), CRDF (Malicious), Ermes (Phishing), ESET (Phishing), Fortinet (Phishing), G-Data (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (aloor[.]net)	142.251.172.147
Distribution methods	Deceptive emails, 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

"$MAGE PRESALE REGISTRATION", "Claim $RBLZ", "$BCB Airdrop Event", and "Degen Airdrop 2" are merely some examples of crypto drainers we have inspected recently.

Cryptocurrency-specific scams operate in one of three main ways: draining funds out of compromised wallets, collecting cryptowallet log-in credentials, and deceiving users into manually transferring assets to scammer-owned wallets.

These schemes may be plain and riddled with various mistakes or be competently crafted and even perfectly mimic legitimate websites. Hence, we strongly advise vigilance while browsing to avoid getting scammed.

How did I open a scam website?

We discovered the fake "GALA" webpage through a spam email pushing it as an airdrop. However, other methods may be used to promote this scheme.

Cryptocurrency drainers are often endorsed via malvertising, especially through intrusive pop-up ads. Some of the adverts are fully functional drainers themselves; they lure users into linking their digital wallets by promising various benefits. It is noteworthy that these pop-ups have been encountered on legitimate sites that had been hacked.

Social media spam is also prevalent in cryptocurrency-centered scam promotion. Posts and PMs/DMs can be made using hacked accounts (i.e., originally belonging to reputable projects, companies, organizations, influencers, etc.).

Common techniques used to endorse online scams include: webpages using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, DMs/PMs, SMSes, social media/ forum posts, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), malvertising (intrusive advertisements), and adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears genuine and harmless. For example, intrusive ads and spam browser notifications may look innocuous – yet redirect users to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, adult dating, etc.).

Therefore, it is essential to exercise caution when browsing. We recommend paying attention to URLs and typing them carefully.

It is important to be selective about which webpages are permitted to deliver browser notifications. Suspect pages must not be allowed to do so; instead, these requests have to be ignored or denied (i.e., by clicking "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).

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

Incoming emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, and other messages must be treated with vigilance. Attachments or links found in suspicious/irrelevant mail must not be opened.

Another recommendation is to download only from official and verified channels. Additionally, installation processes have to be approached with care (e.g., by reading terms, studying options, using "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of additional apps, extensions, etc.). These latter two recommendations are for preventing bundled/harmful software (like adware) 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 fake "GALA" website - aloor[.]net (GIF):

Screenshot of the official Gala Games website (gala.com):

Screenshot of a spam email promoting the fake GALA website (aloor[.]net):

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Quick menu:

• What is GALA 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 intended to lure users into performing specific actions. For example, victims may be tricked into connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, providing private information, making monetary transactions, downloading/installing software, buying products, subscribing to services, calling fake support lines, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are designed to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals primarily profit by obtaining funds through deception, endorsing content (e.g., sites, software, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing sensitive data, and distributing malware.

I have lost cryptocurrency to a fake "GALA" website, can I get my money back?

No, these transactions cannot be reversed because of their practically untraceable nature.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are most commonly promoted via spam (e.g., emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, browser notifications, social media posts, etc.), webpages using rogue advertising networks, typosquatting (mistyped URLs), malvertising (intrusive ads), and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan every website that you visit and detect deceptive/malicious pages. Hence, should you happen upon such a site – you will be immediately warned, and further access to it will be restricted.

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