How to spot fake offers like the "Claim $APED" scam

What kind of scam is "Claim $APED"?

Our team has inspected this web page (apedcto[.]xyz) and concluded that it is a scam website offering individuals to claim crypto tokens. It is a copy of the original web page (apederc[.]com). The ultimate goal of the deceptive website is to trick visitors into performing steps that can result in monetary loss.

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 $APED" scam in detail

$APED is a meme token within the Ethereum network. As stated in the original web page, the creators of $APED aim to build trust and reliability in an environment filled with scams and unreliable investments. By embodying the values of strength and teamwork, they seek to foster a sense of community and create lasting projects that benefit its members.

On the fraudulent web page (apedcto[.]xyz), individuals are encouraged to claim $APED tokens for free. This enticing offer is a common tactic used by scammers to lure unsuspecting users. Scammers behind the fake platform aim to trick visitors into connecting their wallets, which leads to signing a malicious contract.

Upon signing the malicious contract, a cryptocurrency drainer allowing scammers to steal crypto funds is activated. This drainer moves cryptocurrency holdings from the victim's wallet to the scammer's. Once a transaction is finalized, it cannot be undone without the recipient's (in this case, scammer's) consent.

As a result, victims of these scams face irreversible financial losses. To avoid falling into such traps, it is crucial for individuals to thoroughly research any cryptocurrency platform before taking action.

Threat Summary:

Name	Fake Claim $APED website
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Individuals can receive $APED coins
Disguise	Original APED website
Related Domain	apedcto[.]xyz
Detection Names	Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), 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.

Conclusion

There are many fake cryptocurrency platforms that mimic legitimate ones to trick users. Scammers often promise enticing rewards like free tokens, putting individuals at risk of losing their cryptocurrency or facing other issues like identity theft. It is important to research any crypto platform before connecting wallets, making transactions, or doing anything else.

Examples of similar scams are "The Sandbox Game", "SquidGrow Migration Claim," and "$CRV Token Airdrop".

How did I open a scam website?

Most scam websites that use crypto drainers are advertised through fake or hacked or fake accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and compromised/hijacked WordPress sites. Users can also be lured to these fraudulent pages through phishing emails that include links or attachments. Pop-ups, ads, and other questionable content on dubious sites can also direct users to scam sites.

Additionally, sites associated with rogue advertising networks (e.g., torrent sites and illegal movie streaming pages), notifications from suspicious websites, and advertisements generated by harmful adware can be used to promote scam websites.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Do not permit suspicious websites to show notifications. Always download software and files from trustworthy app stores or official websites. Do not trust buttons, pop-ups, ads, and links on suspicious sites. Be careful when handling unexpected or irrelevant emails, especially those from unfamiliar senders. Do not open attachments or links in such messages.

Furthermore, ensure that your operating system and applications are regularly updated, use dependable security tools, and conduct routine scans on your computer. 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 $APED" scam website (GIF):

The original page (apedcto[.]xyz):

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 Fake Claim $APED 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 a scam website?

A scam website is a fraudulent online platform (e.g., a fake crypto giveaway) created to deceive users into taking actions that benefit the scammers. These sites are often disguised as legitimate to lure visitors.

What is the purpose of a scam page?

In most cases, scammers aim to steal cryptocurrency or money in other forms, sensitive information, or deliver malicious software.

Why do I encounter scam pages?

Scam websites are distributed via misleading emails, compromised or fake social media accounts, deceptive ads, and websites connected to suspicious advertising networks. Adware and notifications from unreliable pages can also be used to direct users to these fraudulent sites.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan all the websites you visit, identifying potential threats. It also detects scam sites, providing alerts and blocking access to ensure user protection.

▼ Show Discussion