Avoid getting scammed by fake "MAV Token Eligibility Check" websites
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is the fake "MAV Token Eligibility Check" website?
Our researchers discovered this fake "MAV Token Eligibility Check" site (eligibility.maveclaim[.]xyz; other domains are not unlikely) during a routine inspection of suspicious websites. The scam is presented as Maverick Protocol (mav.xyz), and this fraudulent page claims that eligible users will receive rewards. The goal is to lure victims into exposing their cryptowallets to a cryptocurrency drainer.
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 "MAV Token Eligibility Check" website overview
We found this scam on eligibility.maveclaim[.]xyz, yet it could be hosted on other domains. The scheme masquerades as Maverick Protocol (mav.xyz) – a DeFi infrastructure provider. The scheme states that eligible users can receive MAV or ZKsync (ZK) tokens.
It must be stressed that this giveaway is fake, and this scam is not associated with the actual Maverick Protocol or any other existing projects, platforms, and entities.
Once a wallet is connected, a malicious contract is signed that facilitates the crypto drainer. It makes automated transactions from victims' wallets to those in the scammers' possession. This activity may look innocuous, thus it can remain unnoticed for a long time. Some drainers can approximate the value of digital assets and prioritize their theft.
Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible due to their practically untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "MAV Token Eligibility Check" website cannot recover their funds.
| Name | "MAV Token Eligibility Check" crypto drainer |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer |
| Fake Claim | Eligible users can receive MAV or ZKsync (ZK) tokens |
| Disguise | Maverick Protocol |
| Related Domains | eligibility.maveclaim[.]xyz |
| Detection Names | Trustwave (Phishing), Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 172.67.200.20 |
| 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. |
Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples
We have investigated countless crypto-targeting scams; "Uniswap ($UNI) Airdrop", "$MSC Token Airdrop", "$EBULL Airdrop", "Check MoveDrop Eligibility", and "$PLENA Token Claims" are just some of our latest articles on drainers.
Various lures are used to gain victims' interest and trust, such as airdrops/giveaways, new coin/token promotions, pre-sale events, security upgrades, account/wallet issues, etc.
Online scams are often poorly put together and full of mistakes, but they can be competently crafted. Some cryptocurrency-specific schemes even perfectly copy the design of real online platforms and project websites. Therefore, we strongly advise vigilance when browsing and investing.
How did I open a scam website?
We found "MAV Token Eligibility Check" promoted via posts on X (more commonly known by its former name – Twitter). It must be mentioned that such posts and direct/private messages (DMs/PMs) can be made using hacked accounts (i.e., ones originally belonging to real projects, companies, organizations, celebrities, influencers, etc.).
If the endorsed scam aligns with the content ordinarily posted by the account – this can create an incredible impression of legitimacy.
However, this scheme could be promoted using other techniques. Drainers are often endorsed through intrusive pop-up adverts. Some are fully functional drainers themselves; they lure users into "linking" digital wallets by promising unbelievable benefits. These pop-ups may be hosted on genuine sites that have been compromised.
Other prevalent promotional techniques include: websites using rogue advertising networks, various types of spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, DMs/PMs, emails, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting (mistyped URLs), and adware.
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
Caution is essential to online safety. Therefore, be mindful of ads and sites making promises that sound too good to be true. Take note of URLs and type them attentively. Do not use websites offering pirated content or other questionable services (e.g., illegal streaming/downloading, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages typically use rogue advertising networks.
Do not permit dubious pages to display browser notifications; instead, ignore or deny their requests (i.e., press "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Treat incoming emails and other messages with vigilance; do not open attachments or links found in suspect mail.
Download only from official/verified channels and approach installations cautiously (e.g., study terms and 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 "MAV Token Eligibility Check" website (GIF):
Screenshot of the official Maverick Protocol website (mav.xyz):
Screenshot of an X post (formerly – tweet) promoting the fake MAV Token Eligibility Check website:
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Quick menu:
- What is "MAV Token Eligibility Check" 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 deceptive messages hosted on the Web that aim to trick users into performing specific actions. For example, victims can be deceived into connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, transferring money to scammers, downloading/installing malware, purchasing products, subscribing to services, etc.
What is the purpose of online scams?
Online scams are designed to generate revenue for scammers. Profit can be made by obtaining funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., websites, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing vulnerable information, and spreading malware.
I have lost digital assets to the "MAV Token Eligibility Check" scam, can I get my money back?
No, cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because of their practically untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like "MAV Token Eligibility Check" cannot get their money back.
Why do I encounter online scams?
Online scams are most commonly promoted through spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.), malvertising, websites using rogue advertising networks, typosquatting, and adware.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?
Yes, Combo Cleaner is designed to scan every website that you visit for deceptive and malicious content. Should you happen upon such a webpage – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be blocked.
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