Avoid getting scammed by fake "$MPEPE PRESALE" websites

What is the fake "$MPEPE PRESALE" website?

Our researchers discovered this fake "$MPEPE PRESALE" while investigating dubious websites. The scam site is supposedly running a presale event for the Mpeppe (MPEPE) memecoin. Instead, it operates as a phishing scam and targets cryptowallet log-in credentials.

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 "$MPEPE PRESALE" website overview

We found this bogus "$MPEPE PRESALE" on mpeppe--dashboard.pages[.]dev, yet it could also be hosted on other domains. The lure is a presale event for the Mpeppe (MPEPE) memecoin. It is inspired by a different coin based on the Pepe the Frog Internet meme. Additionally, the site has an "airdrop" button.

It must be emphasized that this MPEPE presale is fake, and it is not associated with any existing projects, platforms, or entities.

This page promotes a phishing scam that targets cryptocurrency wallet log-in credentials. Information entered into websites of this kind is recorded and sent to scammers. This webpage requests users to provide their wallet passphrases. Therefore, the cyber criminals behind this scheme can steal victims' wallets and the funds stored therein.

Furthermore, it must be mentioned that due to the nearly untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions – they cannot be reversed. Therefore, fund recovery for victims of such scams is impossible.

Threat Summary:

Name	"$MPEPE PRESALE" scam website
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Disguise	Presale for Mpeppe (MPEPE) memecoin
Related Domains	mpeppe--dashboard.pages[.]dev
Detection Names	Combo Cleaner (Phishing), Emsisoft (Phishing), Fortinet (Phishing), Kaspersky (Phishing), Lionic (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	172.66.45.10
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. ▼ 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.

Cryptocurrency-centered scam examples

We have investigated thousands of cryptocurrency-targeting scams. Usually, these schemes function in one of three ways – phishing for wallet log-in credentials, using draining mechanisms to siphon funds from exposed wallets, and deceiving users into manually transferring funds to scammer-owned wallets.

Various lures are used to gain and subsequently abuse victims' trust, such as claims about presale events, new coin/token promotions, airdrops/giveaways, account/wallet issues, security upgrades, and so forth. These schemes may appear incredibly convincing and even copy the design to legitimate websites.

"Unichain Rewards", "MANTRA Registration", "Tether Giveaway", "Claim $ORDI", "Cybercab ($CYBERCAB)", "$MSTR Token Distribution", and "Zircuit Airdrop" are just some of our latest articles on crypto-specific scams.

How did I open a scam website?

In general, online scams are endorsed through sites using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., social media posts, DMs/PMs, emails, browser notifications, etc.), intrusive advertisements (malvertising), misspelled URLs (typosquatting), and adware.

Cryptocurrency-centered schemes have been encountered on social media platforms, especially on X (more commonly known by its former name – Twitter).

These promotional spam posts and direct/private messages can be made using hacked accounts (i.e., ones originally belonging to real projects, organizations, companies, celebrities, influencers, etc.). If a scam aligns with the content ordinarily posted by the account – this can create an incredible impression of legitimacy.

Additionally, crypto drainers are often promoted via intrusive pop-up ads. Some of these pop-ups are fully functional drainers themselves; they entice users into "connecting" digital wallets by promising various benefits. Said advertisements may even be encountered on genuine websites that have been compromised.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We strongly advise exercising caution when browsing. Therefore, be wary of adverts and sites making promises that sound too good to be true. Take note of URLs and type them carefully. Do not use websites offering pirated content or other dubious services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages are usually monetized via rogue advertising networks.

Do not allow suspicious pages to deliver browser notifications; instead, ignore or deny such requests (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Approach incoming emails and other messages with vigilance; do not open attachments or links found in suspect/irrelevant mail.

Download only from official/trustworthy channels and treat installations with care (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of supplementary apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/dangerous software (like adware) from infiltrating the device.

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 "$MPEPE PRESALE" 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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. 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.

Quick menu:

• What is "$MPEPE PRESALE" scam website?
• 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 deceptive messages intended to trick users into performing specific actions. To elaborate, victims can be lured into disclosing sensitive information, making monetary transactions, connecting digital wallets to cryptocurrency drainers, purchasing products, downloading/installing software, subscribing to services, calling fake helplines, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams aim to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals predominantly profit by abusing/selling private information, endorsing content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), acquiring funds through deception, and distributing malware.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by an online scam, what should I do?

If you have provided your log-in credentials – change the passwords/passphrases of all possibly exposed accounts and inform their official support without delay. However, if the disclosed information was of a different personal nature (e.g., passport photos/scans, ID card details, credit card numbers, etc.) – immediately contact the appropriate authorities.

I have lost digital assets to the "$MPEPE PRESALE" scam, can I get my money back?

Cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed due to their practically untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "$MPEPE PRESALE" website cannot get their money back.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are most commonly promoted via malvertising, sites that use rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, DMs/PMs, social media/ forum posts, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting, and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites for deceptive/malicious content. It can also deny all further access to pages hosting said content.

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