Avoid getting scammed by fake "Coinbase ($COIN) Airdrop" websites

What is the fake "Coinbase ($COIN) Airdrop"?

This "Coinbase ($COIN) Airdrop" is a scam imitating the Coinbase cryptocurrency exchange platform (coinbase.com). Our researchers discovered this fake airdrop promoted on confirmtransac-chain[.]com, but it could be hosted elsewhere. This scheme operates as a cryptocurrency drainer – by stealing funds from exposed cryptowallets.

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 "Coinbase ($COIN) Airdrop" overview

This fake Coinbase webpage (confirmtransac-chain[.]com; could be hosted on other domains) claims to be launching a new token dubbed "COIN". Registration for participating in the COIN airdrop hoax is open, and users can enter by connecting their digital wallets.

It must be emphasized that the information provided by this scam is false, and the scheme is in no way associated with the actual Coinbase Global, Inc.

When users link their cryptowallets in hopes of registering, they trigger the execution of a cryptocurrency-draining mechanism. Basically, it facilitates the transfer of funds from exposed wallets to those in the scammers' possession. Some drainers can approximate the value of digital assets and prioritize their theft. These transactions may appear vague – thus remaining unnoticed for a significant amount of time.

It has to be mentioned that cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed due to their nearly untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Coinbase ($COIN) Airdrop" cannot retrieve their funds.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Coinbase ($COIN) Airdrop" crypto drainer
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer
Fake Claim	Airdrop for the newly launched "COIN" token.
Disguise	Coinbase
Related Domains	confirmtransac-chain[.]com
Detection Names	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	104.21.67.95
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 drainer scam examples

"$CRV Token Airdrop", "Arcium Registration", "Join Injective Airdrop", "Aave check eligibility", "$BabyElon Allocation", and "Reown Registration" are merely some examples of crypto drainers.

Aside from using draining mechanisms, cryptocurrency-targeting schemes often operate by phishing for wallet log-in credentials or by tricking users into manually transferring funds to scammer-owned wallets.

While it is common for online scams to be poorly crafted and riddled with various mistakes, they can be competently made and even believably disguised as content associated with legitimate entities. Hence, we highly recommend exercising caution when browsing and investing.

How did I open a scam website?

Cryptocurrency drainers are often promoted via intrusive pop-up advertisements (malvertising). These ads can be fully functional drainers themselves; they entice users into "connecting" digital wallets by promising various benefits. It is pertinent to mention that these pop-ups have been encountered on genuine sites that had been hacked.

Additionally, crypto-specific schemes are endorsed through social media spam. The promotional posts and direct/private messages can be made using accounts stolen from real entrepreneurs, celebrities, influencers, projects, companies, etc. However, other endorsement techniques are not unlikely.

Aside from the previously mentioned methods, online scams are widely promoted via webpages using rogue advertising networks, different types of spam (e.g., emails, forum posts, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), and adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is essential to online safety. Therefore, always pay attention to URLs and type them carefully. Be wary of advertisements and websites making offers that sound too good to be true. Do not use sites 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 enable suspect 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 care; do not open attachments or links found in suspect/irrelevant mail.

Download from official/verified channels and be vigilant when installing programs (e.g., read terms, explore options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/harmful software 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 "Coinbase ($COIN) Airdrop" website (GIF):

Screenshot of the official Coinbase website (coinbase.com):

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 "Coinbase ($COIN) Airdrop" 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 Web that aims to trick users into performing specific actions. For example, victims can be lured into connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, sending money to scammers, providing sensitive information, downloading/installing software, buying products, and so forth.

What is the purpose of online scams?

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

I have lost digital assets to the "Coinbase ($COIN) Airdrop" scam, can I get my money back?

No, cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because of their nearly untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Coinbase ($COIN) Airdrop" cannot retrieve the stolen assets.

Why do I encounter online scams?

The most widespread promotional techniques include: spam (e.g., social media posts, DMs/PMs, emails, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), websites that use rogue advertising networks, intrusive advertisements, mistyped URLs, and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan visited webpages for rogue, deceptive, and malicious content. Additionally, it can deny all further access to sites hosting said content.

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