How to recognize scams like the fake blockchain.com airdrop
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is the fake "Blockchain.com Airdrop"?
We have examined the site (blockchainverified.vercel[.]app) and discovered that it promotes a fake cryptocurrency giveaway (airdrop). Our discovery of this fraudulent page occurred during the analysis of a deceptive email. Users should avoid visiting blockchainverified.vercel[.]app and similar sites to avoid financial losses and (or) other problems.
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 "Blockchain.com Airdrop" overview
The email promoting this scam website claims that the recipient's digital wallet was accessed from an unknown device and that their account will be restricted until they verify their identity. It includes two links: "CLICK HERE FOR UNRECOGNIZED DEVICE" and "CLICK HERE FOR RECOGNIZED DEVICE".
Clicking these links leads to blockchainverified.vercel[.]app, a deceptive page hosting a fake giveaway. This fraudulent page features a countdown timer and pressures visitors to act quickly. It claims that $500,000 has already been distributed and invites users to claim $500 USDT by connecting and "verifying" their wallets.
The page includes a "Connect manually" alongside with few other buttons designed to lure users into connecting their wallets and signing a malicious contract. Once this contract is signed, a cryptocurrency drainer is activated. This drainer is utilized to steal cryptocurrency from victims. It automatically transfers crypto holdings from the victim's wallet to the scammer's.
Since these transactions are irreversible, victims risk permanently losing their cryptocurrency. To avoid scams, users should verify any cryptocurrency platform’s legitimacy and read reviews before taking action (connecting wallets, investing in cryptocurrency, or taking other actions).
| Name | Fake Blockchain.com cryptocurrency giveaway |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | Participants can claim $500 USDT |
| Disguise | Legitimate blockchain.com airdrop |
| Related Domain | blockchainverified.vercel[.]app |
| Detection Names (blockchainverified.vercel[.]app) | Seclookup (Malicious), 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. |
Similar scams in general
Scammers behind such schemes aim to attract potential victims with offers like free cryptocurrency, various rewards, investment opportunities, etc. Falling for these scams can lead to risks such as lost funds or identity theft. To stay safe, users should research any crypto platform before connecting wallets, providing information, or making transactions.
More examples of scams involving cryptocurrency drainers are "Claim Your Dreamloops NFT Mystery Box", "Axie Infinity Claim", and "MAVIA Registration".
How did I open a scam website?
Scams created to trick users into activating cryptocurrency drainers are often promoted via deceptive emails (an example can be found below), hijacked WordPress websites, and fake or stolen social media accounts (mostly on X/Twitter). Deceptive advertisements on dubious websites are also used to promote scam sites.
In other cases, users can be lured into opening scam pages via notifications from unreliable websites and sites that utilize rogue advertising networks (e.g., torrent sites and illegal movie streaming pages). Adware can also be used to trick users into visiting scam websites.
How to avoid visiting scam pages?
Always examine before opening their contents. Do not trust irrelevant/unexpected emails from unknown addresses containing links or attachments. Avoid clicking advertisements, pop-ups, links, and buttons on questionable websites. Download apps and files from official websites or app stores. Do not permit shady sites to show notifications.
Regularly update the operating system and installed apps, and use a reputable security tool. 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 "Blockchain.com Airdrop" fake website (GIF):
Screenshot of the promoting email:
Text in this email:
Subject: Wallet Login from unknown device
Your wallet has been accessed from an unknown device.IP: 63.116.61.253 For security measures we will be restricting your account until you verify this is you
If this is NOT YOU "CLICK HERE FOR UNRECOGNIZED DEVICE”
If this is YOU "CLICK HERE FOR RECOGNIZED DEVICE”
Sincerely,
Wallet Security Team
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Quick menu:
- What is Fake Blockchain.com cryptocurrency giveaway?
- 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 fake cryptocurrency giveaway?
It is a fraudulent scheme where fraudsters promise free tokens or cryptocurrency to lure victims.
What is the purpose of a fake cryptocurrency giveaway?
In most cases, these scams are created to steal cryptocurrency from individuals. Also, they are used to extract personal information.
Why do I encounter scam websites?
Online scams are often promoted through deceptive emails, compromised websites, and fake or stolen social media accounts. Misleading ads on questionable sites, notifications from unreliable sources, sites associated with rogue advertising networks (e.g., torrent pages), and adware are also used to trick users into visiting scam pages.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from scams?
Combo Cleaner scans every website you visit, detecting malicious ones, including scam websites. Also, it immediately warns about detected unreliable websites and restricts access.
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