How to recognize fake "Claim Empyreal (EMP)" websites

What is the fake "Claim Empyreal (EMP)" website?

While browsing dubious websites, our researchers discovered this fake "Claim Empyreal (EMP)" webpage. It imitates the Empyreal (empyrealsdk.com) platform and lures users with an airdrop of unclaimed tokens. The purpose of this scam is to trick victims into exposing their digital wallets 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 "Claim Empyreal (EMP)" website overview

We discovered this scam promoted on empyreai-registration[.]co, yet it could be hosted on other domains as well. This fraudulent webpage is an almost identical copy of Empyreal (empyrealsdk.com) – essentially, an SDK (Software Development Kit) intended for Web3 development. This platform utilizes AI (Artificial Intelligence), as well as aids in the development of dApps, and simplifies other blockchain processes.

The imitator page states that eligible users can receive unclaimed tokens. It must be stressed that this airdrop is fake and not associated with the actual Empyreal or any other existing platforms and entities.

After a user "connects" their cryptowallet to the scam website – they unintentionally sign a malicious contract that facilitates the cryptocurrency drainer. This triggers automated outgoing transactions from the exposed wallet. Some drainers can approximate the value of digital assets and target them first.

This activity may appear innocuous and, as such, can remain unnoticed for a significant amount of time. Since cryptocurrency transactions are practically irreversible because of their nearly untraceable nature, victims of scams like this fake "Claim Empyreal (EMP)" page cannot recover the stolen assets.

Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples

We have written about numerous online scams; "Claim BasedAI", "Raydium Airdrop", and fake "DeXe Protocol" website are just a couple of our newest articles on drainers.

Scams that target cryptocurrency typically do so in one of three ways – by employing draining mechanisms to siphon funds from compromised wallets, phishing for wallet log-in credentials, or tricking users into manually transferring assets to scammer-owned wallets.

While online scams are often poorly made and riddled with mistakes, they can be competently crafted and even perfectly copy the design of legitimate websites. Therefore, we strongly recommend exercising caution when browsing and investing.

How did I open a scam website?

In general, online scams are promoted via websites using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, DMs/PMs, social media/ forum posts, browser notifications, SMSes, robocalls/ cold calls, etc.), malvertising (intrusive adverts), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), and adware.

Cryptocurrency drainers are commonly endorsed through intrusive pop-up advertisements. These ads may be fully functional drainers (i.e., capable of executing draining scripts themselves). It is noteworthy that such pop-ups may be encountered on legitimate sites that have been compromised.

Another prevalent promotional technique is social media spam. These posts and direct/private messages can be made using accounts stolen from real projects, companies, organizations, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and so on.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We highly recommend exercising caution to ensure your online safety. Therefore, be wary of websites, ads, and communications making promises that sound too good to be true. Take note of URLs and type them carefully. Do not use sites offering pirated content or other dubious services (e.g., illegal streaming/downloading, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages typically employ rogue advertising networks.

Do not enable questionable pages to display browser notifications; instead, ignore or block their requests. Be vigilant with incoming emails and other messages; do not open attachments or links found in suspicious/irrelevant mail.

Download only from official/trustworthy sources and approach installations with care (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of supplementary apps, extensions, tools, 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 "Claim Empyreal (EMP)" fake website (GIF):

Screenshot of the official Empyreal website (empyrealsdk.com):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is "Claim Empyreal (EMP)" 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, which aims to trick users into performing specific actions. For example, victims can be deceived into connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, making monetary transactions, providing vulnerable information, buying products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing programs, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are designed to generate revenue for scammers. They may profit by obtaining funds through deception, endorsing content (e.g., sites, software, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing sensitive data, and spreading malware.

I have lost digital assets to the "Claim Empyreal (EMP)" scam, can I get my money back?

No, cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because they are practically untraceable. Hence, victims of scams like this fake "Claim Empyreal (EMP)" webpage cannot get their money back.

Why do I encounter online scams?

The most prevalent scam promotion techniques include: websites that utilize rogue advertising networks, malvertising, spam (e.g., DMs/PMs, social media posts, emails, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting, and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan every website that you visit and detect deceptive/malicious content. Hence, should you stumble upon such a page – you will be immediately warned, and further access to it will be blocked.