Avoid getting scammed by fake "$MSC Token Airdrop" websites

What is the fake "$MSC Token Airdrop"?

While inspecting dubious sites, our researchers discovered this fake "$MSC Token Airdrop" on app.mosaic[.]trading (keep in mind that it could be hosted elsewhere). The scam enticed users into exposing their digital wallet to a cryptocurrency drainer by promoting a fraudulent airdrop. Hence, victims of this scam experience financial 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.

Fake "$MSC Token Airdrop" overview

We found this fake MSC token airdrop promoted on app.mosaic[.]trading, yet it could also be hosted on other domains. It must be emphasized that regardless of any possible similarities to existing projects, platforms, or entities – this scheme is in no way associated with them.

When the "Check Eligibility" button on the scam page is pressed, the user is prompted to connect their wallet. "Linking" a cryptowallet executes the crypto drainer, which begins siphoning funds from it. These automated transactions may appear innocuous, thus they can remain unnoticed for a significant amount of time. Some drainers can approximate the value of digital assets and prioritize their theft.

It must be mentioned that cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because of their practically untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "$MSC Token Airdrop" site cannot recover the stolen funds.

Threat Summary:

Name	"$MSC Token Airdrop" crypto drainer
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer
Disguise	MSC token airdrop
Related Domains	app.mosaic[.]trading
Detection Names	G-Data (Phishing), Seclookup (Malicious), Fortinet (Spam), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	172.67.177.174
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

"$EBULL Airdrop", "Check MoveDrop Eligibility", and "$PLENA Token Claims" are just a couple of our newest articles on drainers.

There are three primary ways in which cryptocurrency-targeting scams operate – by using draining mechanisms to steal funds from wallets, phishing for wallet log-in credentials, and tricking users into manually transferring assets to scammer-owned wallets.

Various lures are used to gain victims' interest, such as claims concerning airdrops/giveaways, new coin/token promotions, pre-sale events, account/wallet issues, etc.

Due to how prevalent scams are on the Web and how competently made they can be – we highly recommend caution when browsing and investing.

How did I open a scam website?

Crypto drainers are often promoted through intrusive pop-up ads (malvertising). Some are fully functional drainers themselves; they entice users into "connecting" their wallets by promising various extraordinary boons. It is worth mentioning that these pop-ups have been encountered on legitimate websites that had been compromised.

Another method commonly used to endorse cryptocurrency-specific scams is social media spam. Promotional posts and direct/private messages can be made using hacked accounts (i.e., ones originally belonging to real entrepreneurs, celebrities, influencers, projects, companies, organizations, etc.).

Other possible endorsement techniques include: webpages that use rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs (typosquatting), different types of spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, forum posts, browser notifications, etc.), and adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is the key to online safety. Therefore, always pay attention to URLs and enter them carefully. Be wary of adverts and websites making promises that sound too good to be true. Do not permit suspect pages to deliver browser notifications; instead, ignore or deny such requests (i.e., press "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).

Do not use sites offering pirated content or other questionable services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages usually use rogue advertising networks. Approach incoming emails and other messages with care; do not open attachments or links present in suspicious/irrelevant mail.

Download from official/verified sources and treat installations with care (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.) – to prevent bundled/hazardous 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 "$MSC Token Airdrop" 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 "$MSC Token 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?

Online scams are a type of content promoted on the Web; it aims to deceive users into performing specific actions. For example, victims can be tricked into connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, sending money to scammers, disclosing private information, purchasing products, downloading/installing programs, subscribing to services, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are designed to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals can profit by obtaining funds through deception, endorsing content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), abusing/selling private data, and spreading malware.

I have lost digital assets to the "$MSC Token Airdrop" scam, can I get my money back?

Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible because of their nearly untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of fake websites like "$MSC Token Airdrop" cannot recover their funds.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are most commonly endorsed through websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, browser notifications, social media/ forum posts, etc.), misspelled URLs (typosquatting), intrusive ads (malvertising), and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner is designed to eliminate all kinds of threats. It can scan visited websites for deceptive/malicious sites. Therefore, should you happen upon such a page – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be blocked.

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