Avoid getting scammed by fake "Claim $ROCKY" websites
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is the fake "Claim $ROCKY"?
"Claim $ROCKY" refers to a fake website supposedly distributing the Rocky token. We found this scam promoted on rockybased[.]com, yet it could also be hosted elsewhere. "Claim $ROCKY" operates as a cryptocurrency drainer that steals digital assets from victims' cryptowallets. It must be emphasized that this scam is not associated with any legitimate 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 "Claim $ROCKY" overview
This scam was discovered on rockybased[.]com, but it could be promoted on other domains as well. The fake page claims to distribute Rocky – a community-driven meme token on the Solana network. It must be reiterated that this scheme is not linked to any genuine websites or entities.
When a user tries to claim this token, they are prompted to "connect" their digital wallet. Once a cryptowallet is "linked", the draining mechanism is initiated. In other words, automated outgoing transactions are triggered that transfer funds to scammer-owned wallets.
Drainers may be capable of roughly estimating the value of digital assets and targeting them first. The transactions may appear vague, thus remaining unnoticed for a significant amount of time. Yet, because of their untraceable nature, cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Claim $ROCKY" site cannot retrieve their funds.
Name | "Claim $ROCKY" crypto drainer scam |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer |
Disguise | Website distributing Rocky tokens |
Related Domains | rockybased[.]com |
Detection Names (rockybased[.]com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address (rockybased[.]com) | 104.21.86.184 |
Distribution methods | Compromised websites, social media spam, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications. |
Damage | Monetary loss |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples
"Artrade #RWA", "NAVI Claim", and "$SCOTTY Claim" are just a couple examples of crypto drainers. Cryptocurrency-targeting schemes primarily operate in one of three ways: draining funds from compromised wallets, targeting cryptowallet log-in credentials, and tricking users into manually transferring assets to wallets in the cyber criminals' possession.
The Internet is rife with deceptive and malicious content. It can be poorly made or extremely believable and even perfectly copy existing websites. Therefore, be vigilant when browsing and investing.
How did I open a scam website?
In general, online scams are endorsed through webpages that use rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, PMs/DMs, emails, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), malvertising (intrusive ads), typosquatting (mistyped URLs), and adware.
Crypto drainers are often pushed via intrusive pop-up adverts. Some can even execute cryptocurrency-draining scripts. These advertisements might be hosted on legitimate sites that have been hacked.
Another prevalent promotional technique is social media spam, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). Posts and private/direct messages endorsing this content can be made using stolen accounts (i.e., originally belonging to real influencers, celebrities, projects, companies, organizations, etc.).
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
We strongly advise exercising caution while browsing. Pay attention to URLs and enter them carefully. Be selective when clicking advertisements and allowing sites to deliver browser notifications. Do not enable suspect pages to display notifications, and instead ignore or deny such requests (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).
Do not visit/use websites offering pirated content or other questionable services (e.g., illegal streaming or downloading, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages usually employ rogue advertising networks. Be vigilant with incoming mail, and do not open attachments or links found in dubious emails/messages.
Download only from official/verified sources and approach installations with care (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, tools, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/hazardous software (like adware) from infiltrating devices.
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 "Claim $ROCKY" website (GIF):
Screenshot of the real Rocky token website (rockythedogcoin.com):
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:
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Quick menu:
- What is "Claim $ROCKY" 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 enticed/scared into connecting digital wallets to cryptocurrency drainers, making monetary transactions, disclosing private information, purchasing products, downloading/installing software, subscribing to services, and so forth.
What is the purpose of online scams?
The end goal of all scams is to generate revenue. Cyber criminals predominantly profit by acquiring funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., websites, software, etc.), abusing/selling sensitive data, and distributing malware.
I have lost digital assets to the "Claim $ROCKY" scam, can I get my money back?
These transactions are irreversible due to their practically untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Claim $ROCKY" website cannot recover their funds.
Why do I encounter online scams?
Online scams are mainly promoted via malvertising, sites using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, PMs/DMs, social media posts, browser notifications, SMSes, etc.), typosquatting, 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 the sites you visit and detecting rogue, scam, and malicious webpages. Therefore, should you happen upon a website hosting such content – you will be immediately warned, and further access to it will be restricted.
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