Avoid losing digital assets to the "Drop Coin" scam website
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is the fake "Drop Coin" website?
After investigating this "Drop Coin" airdrop, we determined that it is fake. The scam claims to be a giveaway for DropCoin (DROP). However, when users connect their digital wallets to the scheme, they are exposed to a cryptocurrency drainer. Victims of scams like this fake airdrop experience financial loss.
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 "Drop Coin" website overview
The "Drop Coin" scam site states that users can "Earn auto-compounded staking rewards and additional DeFi yield while contributing to the growth of your favorite ecosystems". It must be emphasized that this airdrop is fake, and it is not associated with any existing platforms or entities.
Supposedly, this DropCoin (DROP) giveaway is "invite only", and the code for participating can be found in the spam email used to promote this scam. After the code is submitted, users can connect their cryptowallets and claim the digital assets. Once a wallet is linked, a cryptocurrency-draining mechanism is triggered.
In basic terms, funds in the victims' wallets are transferred to those in the cyber criminals' possession. Some drainers can approximate the value of digital assets and prioritize their theft. These transactions may appear vague and remain unnoticed for a long time.
It must be mentioned that due to the practically untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions – they cannot be reversed. Therefore, victims of this fake "Drop Coin" website cannot get their money back.
Name | "Drop Coin" crypto drainer |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer |
Disguise | DropCoin (DROP) airdrop |
Related Domains | invitedrop[.]money |
Detection Names (invitedrop[.]money) | alphaMountain.ai (Spam), Fortinet (Spam), Sophos (Spam), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address (invitedrop[.]money) | 195.26.250.76 |
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; "Bitcoin NFT Verification", "PepeCoin OG", "$PAAL Staking", "Satoshi Connect Wallet", and "MultiChain Protocol For DApp" are just a few of our newest articles on crypto drainers.
Cryptocurrency-targeting schemes primarily operate by utilizing draining mechanisms, phishing for cryptowallet log-in credentials, and tricking users into manually transferring funds to scammer-owned wallets.
However, the Internet is rife with various scams that use different lures to gain victims' trust. While online schemes are often poorly put together and full of mistakes, they can be competently made and even perfectly copy the design of legitimate websites. Therefore, we strongly advise vigilance when browsing and investing.
How did I open a scam website?
We discovered the "Drop Coin" scam through a spam email with the subject "Your Exclusive Invite" (may vary). The letter informs users of an exclusive cryptocurrency airdrop; the link in this message leads to the "Drop Coin" webpage. However, other methods could be used to promote said scheme.
Cryptocurrency drainers are often endorsed via intrusive pop-up advertisements (malvertising). Some of these pop-ups can execute crypto-draining scripts themselves; they entice users into "connecting" digital wallets by promising various boons. It is worth mentioning that these adverts have been encountered on genuine sites that had been hacked.
Another widespread promotional technique is social media spam. The posts and DMs/PMs endorsing these scams can be made using accounts stolen from real projects, influencers, entrepreneurs, celebrities, companies, and so on. This can create an incredible impression of legitimacy if the scam matches the content the accounts post ordinarily.
Generally, online scams are pushed via different types of spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, PMs/DMs, social media/ forum posts, browser notifications, etc.), websites employing rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs (typosquatting), and adware.
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
The key to online safety is caution. Therefore, be wary of advertisements and other online content that makes promises that are too good to be true. Pay attention to URLs and type them carefully. Do not permit dubious pages to deliver browser notifications; instead, ignore or deny such requests (i.e., press "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).
Do not use websites offering pirated programs/media or other questionable services (e.g., illegal streaming or downloading, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages are usually monetized via rogue advertising networks. Be vigilant with incoming emails and other messages; do not open attachments or links found in suspicious/irrelevant mail.
Download from official/verified sources and approach installations with care (e.g., study terms and options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of supplementary apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/dangerous software (like adware) 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.
Appearance of the "Drop Coin" scam website (GIF):
Screenshot of a spam email used to promote the "Drop Coin" scam:
Text presented in this spam email letter:
Subject: Your Exclusive Invite
Hi -,
You're invited to the exclusive Drop coin airdrop! With Drop, you can earn auto-compounded staking rewards and additional DeFi yield while contributing to the growth of your favorite ecosystems.
We’ve partnered with BitBucket.io to bring you this unique opportunity. Use invite code DR1H87 to join hxxps://invitedrop.money and start staking.
Don’t miss this chance to secure your free Drop coins and be part of a mission that’s reshaping the DeFi space.
Best Regards!
Mitya @ Drop.money
© 2024 Drop.money. All rights reserved.
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Quick menu:
- What is "Drop Coin" crypto drainer?
- 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 Internet that aims to trick users into performing certain actions. To elaborate, victims can be lured into connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, sending money to scammers, disclosing sensitive information, buying products, downloading/installing programs, subscribing to services, and so forth.
What is the purpose of online scams?
The purpose of online scams is to generate revenue for scammers. Profit can be made by acquiring funds through deception, endorsing content (e.g., websites, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing private information, and spreading malware.
I have lost digital assets to the "Drop Coin" scam, can I get my money back?
These transactions are irreversible because of their nearly untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Drop Coin" website cannot get their money back.
Why do I encounter online scams?
The "Drop Coin" scheme has been noted being promoted via links in spam emails. Keep in mind that other promotional methods are not unlikely. Generally, online scams are endorsed through different types of spam (e.g., DMs/PMs, social media posts, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, typosquatting (mistyped URLs), malvertising (intrusive ads), 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 sites for rogue, deceptive, and malicious content. Should you happen upon such a webpage – Combo Cleaner will warn you immediately and block all further access to the website.
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