Avoid getting scammed by fake "LightLink Wallet Connect" sites
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is the fake "LightLink Wallet Connect"?
"LightLink Wallet Connect" (as hosted on lightlink-x[.]com) is a scam that perfectly imitates the LightLink blockchain platform. The imitator operates as a cryptocurrency drainer that empties funds from victims' digital wallets.
It must be emphasized that the fake website is not associated with LightLink or any other existing platforms or entities.
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 "LightLink Wallet Connect" overview
This scam is an almost identical copy of the LightLink platform (lightlink.io) that offers various benefits like cheaper transactions. This content is hosted on lightlink-x[.]com, but it might be promoted on other domains as well. As mentioned in the introduction, this scheme is in no way associated with any legitimate entities.
Once a user connects their cryptowallet to this fake page, a cryptocurrency-draining mechanism is triggered. Basically, a process starts where funds are pilfered out of victims' wallets. This activity is automated, and the transactions may appear vague. Drainers may be able to roughly estimate the value of digital assets and prioritize their theft.
Furthermore, victims of such scams cannot recover their funds due to the virtually untraceable nature of these transactions.
| Name | "LightLink Wallet Connect" crypto drainer scam |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer |
| Disguise | LightLink |
| Related Domains | lightlink-x[.]com |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 104.21.48.254 |
| 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 examined thousands of online scams; "EigenDA Maines Launch Allocation", "Binance's Token Launch", "Renzo 2x Staking Multiplier", "Quant (QNT) Airdrop", and "ORD INSCRIPTION QUEST" are merely some examples of ones utilizing draining mechanisms.
Cryptocurrency-specific schemes operate in one of three primary ways: siphoning funds out of compromised cryptowallets, targeting wallet log-in credentials, or deceiving users into manually transferring assets to scammer-owned digital wallets.
These scams are often competently crafted, and some even perfectly mimic reputable or newly-launched platforms. Therefore, we strongly advise caution when investing money online.
How did I open a scam website?
It has been observed that cryptocurrency-draining scams are promoted through malvertising. Specifically, intrusive pop-up advertisements that may even include functional drainer mechanisms. Furthermore, these ads have been encountered on legitimate websites that had been compromised.
Another prevalent endorsement technique is social media spam. We have noted many examples of this on the X (more commonly known by its former name – Twitter) social media platform. Promotional posts and direct/private messages can be made using hacked accounts (i.e., originally belonging to entrepreneurs, influencers, projects, companies, organizations, etc.).
However, these schemes can be pushed by relying on other methods. Generally, online scams are endorsed via malvertising, sites utilizing rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, DMs/PMs, SMSes, emails, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), and adware.
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
It is crucial to be careful while browsing. Hence, pay attention to URLs and type them carefully. Do not enable suspicious pages to deliver browser notifications; instead, ignore or deny these requests (i.e., by pressing "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).
Be vigilant with incoming emails and other messages; do not open attachments or links present in dubious mail. Do not use sites offering pirated content or other questionable services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages usually employ rogue advertising networks.
Download only from official/trustworthy sources and exercise caution when installing software (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of supplementary apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/hazardous programs 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 "LightLink Wallet Connect" scam (GIF):
Screenshot of the official LightLink website (lightlink.io):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is "LightLink Wallet Connect" 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?
Basically, an online scam is a type of deceptive content endorsed on the Web. Its purpose is to deceive users into performing specific actions, e.g., connecting digital wallets to cryptocurrency drainers, disclosing valuable information, making monetary transactions, downloading/installing software, purchasing products, subscribing to services, calling fake helplines, allowing cyber criminals to access devices remotely, etc.
What is the purpose of online scams?
Online scams aim to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals primarily profit by obtaining funds through deception, selling/abusing private data, endorsing content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), and distributing malware.
I have lost cryptocurrency to the "LightLink Wallet Connect" scam, can I get my money back?
Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible because of their practically untraceable nature. Therefore, digital assets stolen through such scams cannot be recovered.
Why do I encounter online scams?
The most commonly used promotional techniques include: spam (e.g., emails, DMs/PMs, social media posts, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), webpages using rogue advertising networks, intrusive advertisements, typosquatting (mistyped URLs), and adware.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?
Combo Cleaner is designed to eliminate all kinds of threats. It is capable of scanning visited websites for deceptive/malicious content. Hence, when a user enters such a webpage – they are warned immediately, and further access to the page is blocked.
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