Avoid losing digital assets to fake "MANTRA Registration" websites
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is the fake "MANTRA Registration" website?
While investigating suspicious websites, our researchers discovered the "MANTRA Registration" scam (mainnet-mantra[.]trade; could be hosted elsewhere). The scheme promises various rewards for registration, and when users attempt to register – they expose their digital wallets to a cryptocurrency drainer. Essentially, this scam steals funds from victims' 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 "MANTRA Registration" website overview
We found this "MANTRA Registration" scam on mainnet-mantra[.]trade, but keep in mind that it could be hosted on other domains as well. This scam page promises hundreds of on-chain rewards to users who register.
It must be reiterated that this rewards program is fake. It must also be emphasized that regardless of potential visual similarities, this scheme is not associated with any existing platforms or entities.
When the "Register Now" button is pressed, the scam prompts to connect a digital wallet. "Linking" a cryptowallet executes scripts for a cryptocurrency-draining mechanism. The drainer transfers funds in automated transactions from victims' wallets to those in the scammers' possession.
Some schemes of this kind can roughly estimate the value of digital assets and prioritize their theft. These transactions can appear vague, thereby remaining unnoticed for a significant amount of time.
It is noteworthy that cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because of their nearly untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "MANTRA Registration" website cannot retrieve their funds.
Name | "MANTRA Registration" crypto drainer |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer |
Fake Claim | Rewards for newly registered users |
Related Domains | mainnet-mantra[.]trade |
Detection Names (mainnet-mantra[.]trade) | Trustwave (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address (mainnet-mantra[.]trade) | 104.21.61.49 |
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 written about countless crypto-targeting scams; "Tether Giveaway", "MoonBag Presale", and "Claim $ORDI" are just a couple of our latest articles on drainers.
Aside from using draining mechanisms, these scams often seek wallet log-in credentials or trick users into manually transferring funds to scammer-owned wallets.
While the widely held belief that online schemes are poorly put together and riddled with mistakes is not untrue, it is not always the case. These scams can be competently made, and some even perfectly copy the design of legitimate websites. Hence, we strongly advise being vigilant when browsing and investing.
How did I open a scam website?
Cryptocurrency drainers are commonly promoted via intrusive pop-up advertisements. These pop-ups may be capable of executing draining scripts themselves. It is pertinent to mention that said ads have been encountered on genuine sites that had been compromised.
Additionally, crypto-centered scams are prevalent on social media platforms, particularly X (more often referred to by its former name – Twitter). These posts and direct/private messages (DMs/PMs) can be made using hacked accounts (i.e., ones originally belonging to real projects, companies, organizations, celebrities, influencers, etc.).
Other promotional methods are not unlikely. Aside from the previously mentioned techniques, online scams are widely promoted through websites that use rogue advertising networks, different types of spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, browser notifications, forum posts, etc.), malvertising (intrusive adverts), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), and adware.
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
Exercising caution is essential to online safety. Therefore, always pay attention to URLs and enter them carefully. Be wary of ads and other online content making promises that sound too good to be true. Do not use websites offering pirated programs/media or other dubious services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages usually utilize rogue advertising networks.
Do not permit questionable pages to deliver browser notifications; instead, ignore or deny these requests (i.e., press "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Approach incoming emails and other messages with vigilance; do not open attachments or links present in suspicious/irrelevant mail.
Download only from official/trustworthy sources and treat installations with care (e.g., read terms, study options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/hazardous 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 fake "MANTRA Registration" website (GIF):
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 "MANTRA 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 promoted on the Web that is intended to deceive users into performing specific actions. For example, victims can be enticed into connecting digital wallets to cryptocurrency drainers, sending money to scammers, providing sensitive information, buying products, downloading/installing programs, subscribing to services, and so on.
What is the purpose of online scams?
Online scams are designed to generate revenue for scammers. Cyber criminals primarily profit by obtaining funds through deception, endorsing content (e.g., sites, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing vulnerable data, and spreading malware.
I have lost digital assets to the "MANTRA Registration" scam, can I get my money back?
No, these transactions cannot be reversed due to their practically untraceable nature. Hence, victims of scams like this fake "MANTRA Registration" webpage cannot retrieve the stolen assets.
Why do I encounter online scams?
Online scams are most commonly promoted via sites employing rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads (malvertising), spam (e.g., social media posts, DMs/PMs, emails, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), misspelled URLs (typosquatting), and adware.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites and detect rogue, deceptive, and malicious pages. Therefore, should you happen upon such a webpage – you will be immediately warned, and further access to it will be restricted.
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