Avoid getting scammed by fake "Metis Dao Quest Registration" websites
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is the fake "Metis Dao Quest Registration" website?
After inspecting "Metis Dao Quest Registration", as hosted on quest.metisprotcols[.]com, we determined that it is fake. This scam impersonates the Metis platform (metis.io). The scheme promises rewards for certain activities with the goal of luring users into exposing their cryptowallets 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 "Metis Dao Quest Registration" website overview
This scam is an almost perfect copy of the Metis blockchain platform that integrates a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) framework. We found this scheme on quest.metisprotcols[.]com, but it could be hosted on other domains as well.
It must be emphasized that this scam is not associated with Metis or any other existing platforms or networks.
If a user is lured to try registering on the fake platform, they are prompted to connect their digital wallet. "Linking" a cryptowallet to this scheme exposes it to a cryptocurrency-draining mechanism. Essentially, funds are transferred to scammer-owned wallets in automated transactions.
This activity may appear vague, thus not raising immediate suspicion. Some drainers can roughly estimate the value of digital assets and prioritize their theft. The scope of the financial loss depends on the value of the stolen assets.
It must be mentioned that cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because of their nearly untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of such schemes cannot get their money back.
| Name | "Metis Dao Quest Registration" crypto drainer scam |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer |
| Disguise | Metis platform |
| Related Domains | quest.metisprotcols[.]com |
| Detection Names | Combo Cleaner (Phishing), CRDF (Malicious), Emsisoft (Phishing), Fortinet (Phishing), Kaspersky (Phishing), Lionic (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 172.67.180.59 |
| 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 investigated thousands of online scams; "APECOIN Airdrop", "$GUMMY Airdrop", "IRS Crypto", "Hedgies Giveaway", and "Claim $ROCKY" are merely some examples of crypto drainers.
Schemes that seek cryptocurrency do so in one of three primary ways: draining funds from compromised wallets, targeting cryptowallet log-in credentials, and tricking victims into transferring funds to wallets in the cyber criminals' possession.
The Internet is rife with deceptive content that uses various false claims and mechanisms, but the end goal is the same – to generate revenue at victims' expense. Online scams can be plain and full of mistakes or be competently crafted and even perfectly imitate existing websites.
How did I open a scam website?
Online scams are most commonly promoted via spam (e.g., emails, DMs/PMs, SMSes, browser notifications, social media/ forum posts, etc.), sites employing rogue advertising networks, malvertising (intrusive adverts), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), and adware.
We have encountered many instances of cryptocurrency drainers endorsed through social media spam, especially on X (formerly Twitter). Promotional posts and direct/private messages can be made using hacked accounts (i.e., originally belonging to real influencers, entrepreneurs, celebrities, projects, companies, etc.).
Another widespread technique for pushing crypto drainers is malvertising, specifically – intrusive pop-up advertisements. Some of these ads can even execute cryptocurrency-draining scripts; they entice users into "connecting" digital wallets by promising various benefits. We have observed these pop-ups being hosted on legitimate websites that had been compromised.
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
Vigilance is paramount when browsing. Therefore, pay attention to URLs and type them carefully. Do not trust online offers that sound too good to be true.
Be selective when clicking ads and permitting sites to deliver browser notifications. Do not allow suspicious pages to display notifications; instead, ignore or deny such requests (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).
Do not use websites offering pirated programs/media or other dubious services (e.g., illegal streaming or downloading, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages are typically monetized via rogue advertising networks. Treat incoming emails and other messages with caution; do not open attachments or links found in suspicious mail.
Download only from official/verified sources and approach installations with care (e.g., read terms, explore options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.) – to prevent bundled/harmful 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 "Metis Dao Quest Registration" site (GIF):
Screenshot of the official Metis website (metis.io):
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 "Metis Dao Quest Registration" 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 is a type of deceptive content hosted on the Web. It aims to deceive victims into performing specific actions, e.g., connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, making monetary transactions, disclosing sensitive information, buying products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing software, calling fake helplines, etc.
What is the purpose of online scams?
Online scams are designed to generate revenue for scammers. Profit can be made by obtaining funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., sites, software, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing private data, and spreading malware.
I have lost digital assets to the "Metis Dao Quest Registration" scam, can I get my money back?
No, these transactions are irreversible because of their nearly untraceable nature. Hence, victims of scams like this fake "Metis Dao Quest Registration" cannot recover their funds.
Why do I encounter online scams?
Generally, online scams are endorsed via websites using rogue advertising networks, malvertising, spam (e.g., social media posts, emails, SMSes, PMs/DMs, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting, and adware.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?
Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning visited websites for rogue, deceptive/scam, and malicious content. Hence, should you happen upon such a webpage – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be blocked.
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