How to avoid falling for scams like the fake "Claim $TUK" website

What is "Claim $TUK" scam?

In our examination of the page (claims-etuktuk.pages[.]dev), we discovered that it is a scam site masquerading as the official eTukTuk website, etuktuk[.]io. Scammers use this fraudulent page to steal cryptocurrency from unsuspecting users. Therefore, it is untrustworthy and should be avoided.

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.

"Claim $TUK" scam website in detail

eTukTuk is a play-to-earn game where players race to pick up and drop off passengers. The faster they drive, the more they can earn. The $TUK token is the native cryptocurrency of the blockchain that supports the eTukTuk ecosystem. The fake website (claims-etuktuk.pages[.]dev) is very similar to the real one and offers users the ability to claim $TUK tokens.

On the fraudulent site, visitors are encouraged to connect their wallets to claim tokens. However, doing so signs a malicious contract. Upon signing this contract, a cryptocurrency drainer is activated. This drainer is created to automatically transfer funds from the victim's wallet to the scammer's.

Simply put, the crypto drainer on claims-etuktuk.pages[.]dev allows scammers to drain their victims' crypto wallets. Recovering lost cryptocurrency is almost impossible since transfers are permanent unless the recipient chooses to return the funds. So, falling victim to such scams can lead to irreversible and substantial financial losses.

For this reason, individuals should exercise caution when engaging with crypto platforms and verify their legitimacy to avoid monetary loss or other issues.

Threat Summary:

Name	Fake Claim $TUK platform
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Individuals can claim $TUK tokens
Disguise	Legitimate etuktuk[.]io platform
Related Domain	claims-etuktuk.pages[.]dev
Detection Names	Trustwave (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	Unofficial domain, lack of official verification, unrealistic claims, too good-to-be-true promises.
Distribution methods	Compromised/hijacked websites, stolen or fake social media profiles, rogue online pop-up ads, unwanted applications.
Damage	Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Similar scams in general

Scams like the one reviewed in our article usually claim that individuals can receive free cryptocurrency and ask them to connect their wallets. Once users do so, they risk losing the funds they have in their wallets. It is worth noting that such scams are often hosted on fake pages that closely resemble the real ones.

Some examples of other fake platforms are "THETA Airdrop", "Nesara Gesara Payout Claim", and "ROBOTAXI ($TAXI)".

How did I open a scam website?

Users often open scam websites through misleading links in emails or messages, which may appear to be from trusted sources. Users can also be directed to fraudulent sites via sites that use rogue advertising networks (e.g., torrent sites or illegal movie streaming platforms). Scammers may also use pop-up ads that entice users to click, leading them to scam pages.

It is known that scams involving cryptocurrency drainers are often promoted using hijacked WordPress websites and fake (or stolen) X/Twitter accounts.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Avoid opening files or links in emails from unknown addresses, especially if they seem irrelevant or unexpected. Use official websites or reputable app stores when downloading software and files. Do not trust pop-ups, buttons, ads, links, etc., encountered on suspicious websites. Avoid permitting questionable sites to send you notifications.

Make it a habit to update your operating system and any installed software regularly. Furthermore, ensure you have a trusted security tool to help protect your device. If your computer is already infected with unwanted apps, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

The appearance of "Claim $TUK" scam website (GIF):

The real eTukTuk site (etuktuk[.]io):

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Quick menu:

• What is Fake Claim $TUK platform?
• 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 a crypto scam?

These scams are intended to mislead individuals into taking actions that benefit the scammers. Victims who fall for these scams usually encounter financial losses.

What is the purpose of a crypto scam?

Typically, the scammers behind these schemes seek to steal personal information, gain access to cryptocurrency wallets, and take funds from victims.

Why do I encounter scam websites?

Scam websites are often advertised through misleading emails, deceptive ads, fake or compromised social media accounts, and notifications from unreliable pages. They can also be promoted on sites that utilize rogue advertising networks, such as torrent sites or illegal movie streaming platforms, among other channels.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me scams?

Combo Cleaner scans websites for potential threats, identifies scam sites, and issues alerts. Additionally, it blocks access to harmful or deceptive sites.

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