Avoid losing digital assets to fake "Soneium Registration" websites
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is the fake "Soneium Registration" website?
While inspecting rogue pages, our researchers discovered this fake "Soneium Registration" website (event-soneium[.]org; note that it could be hosted elsewhere).
It is presented as a blockchain platform, but this scam page is not associated with existing ones or any legitimate entities. This scheme functions as a crypto drainer, i.e., it transfers digital assets from exposed cryptocurrency wallets.
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 $1 billion in crypto to scams – that's about one out of every four dollars reported lost, more than any other payment method.
Fake "Soneium Registration" website overview
We found this fake "Soneium" platform promoted on event-soneium[.]org, but it could be hosted on other domains as well. It must be reiterated that regardless of any visual similarities, this scam is not associated with any existing platforms or entities.
This scheme is a crypto drainer. When users attempt to register on the fraudulent page, they are prompted to connect their digital wallets – thereby exposing them to a draining mechanism. Basically, victims inadvertently sign a malicious contract that facilitates the siphoning of funds from cryptowallets.
These automated transactions may appear innocuous – hence, they can remain unnoticed for a long time. Some drainers can approximate the value of digital assets and prioritize their theft.
It must be mentioned that cryptocurrency transactions are nearly untraceable, so they cannot be reversed. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Soneium Registration" site cannot recover the stolen assets.
Name | "Soneium Registration" crypto drainer |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer |
Disguise | Blockchain platform |
Related Domains | event-soneium[.]org, signup-soneium[.]trade, enroll-soneium[.]com |
Detection Names (event-soneium[.]org) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address (event-soneium[.]org) | 104.21.38.196 |
Distribution methods | Compromised websites, social media spam, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications. |
Damage | Monetary loss |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples
"Binance USDC Distribution", "Node AI", "$RUNE Loot Crate Claims", "$KINTO TGE Check Allocations", and "$PAWS Token Distribution" are merely some examples of crypto drainers.
Scams that seek digital currencies do so in one of three primary ways – utilizing draining mechanisms to steal funds from compromised wallets, targeting wallet log-in credentials, and tricking users into manually transferring assets to scammer-owned wallets.
However, the Internet is rife with deceptive and malicious content. While online schemes vary in appearance and use different mechanisms, their end goal is the same – to generate revenue for scammers. Due to how prevalent scams are on the Web and how well-made they can be – we highly recommend exercising caution when browsing and investing.
How did I open a scam website?
In general, online scams are promoted via websites using rogue advertising networks, malvertising, spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, PMs/DMs, social media posts, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting (mistyped URLs), and adware.
Cryptocurrency drainers are often endorsed through malvertising, specifically – intrusive pop-up ads. Some of these pop-ups are fully functional drainers themselves; they lure users into "linking" digital wallets by promising various boons. It is worth mentioning that these adverts may even be encountered on legitimate sites that have been compromised.
Crypto-specific schemes are also prevalent on social media platforms; we have found many instances of their promotion on X (more commonly referred to by its former name – Twitter).
These spam posts and PMs/DMs can be made using hacked accounts (i.e., originally belonging to real entrepreneurs, celebrities, influencers, projects, companies, etc.). If the scams align with the content ordinarily posted by the accounts – this creates an incredible impression of legitimacy.
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
Caution is essential to online safety. Therefore, take note of URLs and type them attentively. Be wary of advertisements and other online content making promises that sound too good to be true. Do not use sites offering pirated programs/media or other dubious services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages are usually monetized via rogue advertising networks.
Do not permit suspicious pages to deliver browser notifications; ignore or deny such requests (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Approach incoming emails and other messages with care; do not open attachments or links present in suspect/irrelevant mail.
Download from official/trustworthy sources and treat installations with vigilance (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, 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 "Soneium Registration" website (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is "Soneium Registration" 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?
Online scams are a type of content endorsed on the Web that aims to deceive users into performing certain actions. For example, victims can be enticed into linking digital wallets to crypto drainers, disclosing sensitive data, sending money to cyber criminals, downloading/installing software, buying products, subscribing to services, and so forth.
What is the purpose of online scams?
Online scams are designed to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals primarily profit by acquiring funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing sensitive data, and spreading malware.
I have lost digital assets to the "Soneium Registration" scam, can I get my money back?
These transactions cannot be reversed due to their nearly untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Soneium Registration" site cannot retrieve the stolen funds.
Why do I encounter online scams?
Online scams are most commonly promoted via spam (e.g., emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, social media posts, browser notifications, etc.), sites utilizing rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads (malvertising), misspelled URLs (typosquatting), and adware.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?
Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites and detect rogue, deceptive, and malicious pages. Therefore, should you happen upon such a webpage – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be denied.
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