Avoid getting scammed by the fake CoinMarketCap Giveaway
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is "CoinMarketCap Giveaway"?
"CoinMarketCap Giveaway" is a scam our researchers found while inspecting rogue websites. This fake giveaway promises to double users' contributions in either Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH) cryptocurrency. In other words, this scam is designed to trick users into transferring cryptocurrency to it with the false promise of returning double the amount.
"CoinMarketCap Giveaway" scam overview
When we accessed a webpage promoting this scam, we were presented with two options - Ethereum and Bitcoin. The text instructed to choose the coin of interest to participate in the "distribution". Selecting either leads to a virtually identical page.
The scam states that a large amount of cryptocurrency will be given away within 24 hours. To participate, the webpage instructs users to transfer a certain amount of the chosen cryptocurrency (e.g., from 0.02 BTC to 50 BTC) to the provided digital wallet's address.
The scam promises that contributors will receive twice the amount back immediately. It also claims that even if participants contribute too late, they will get their contributions back.
However, the information provided by the "CoinMarketCap Giveaway" is false. Therefore, anything that the victims transfer to it - will be lost. Furthermore, since cryptocurrencies are difficult/impossible to trance, their transactions are irreversible.
| Name | CoinMarketCap Giveaway scam website |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | Cryptocurrency giveaway |
| Cyber Criminal Crypto Wallet Address | 0x7Cc7007910653Fd4263874C5307452AEaB5FC726 (Ethereum), 1Cap53MYgmNcMehdULKxjGXfbhNkFVZ5PB (Bitcoin) |
| Related Domains | coinmarketevent[.]net |
| Detection Names (coinmarketevent[.]net) | ESET (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Distribution methods | Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially 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. |
Cryptocurrency-themed scam examples
With the increase in popularity of digital currencies (e.g., cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens, etc.), cyber criminals have begun incorporating them in various scams.
We have analyzed dozens of such schemes; the most common ones include fake giveaways (e.g., "Official Solana NFT Launch Scam", "NASA ETH and BTC Giveaway", "PROT Giveaway", etc.) and phishing that targets cryptowallet log-in credentials (e.g., "OpenSea scam", "Coinbase scam", "WALLET SYNCING", etc.).
Overall, the Internet is rife with deceptive and malicious content. Scammers use a wide variety of techniques to gain and subsequently abuse users' trust. Practically all scams are designed for the sole purpose of generating revenue for the criminals behind them.
How did I open a scam website?
Our researchers encountered the "CoinMarketCap Giveaway" scam website via a redirect caused by a page that uses rogue advertising networks. However, deceptive sites can also be accessed through mistyped URLs or redirects generated by spam browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, or installed adware.
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
We strongly advise against visiting/using sites that offer illegal or questionable services (e.g., Torrenting, pirated content streaming or downloading, etc.) - since they typically use rogue advertising networks, which are known to promote scams and other dangerous material.
Spam browser notifications also endorse deceptive websites. Therefore, it is important not to allow suspicious pages to deliver them; instead, ignore or deny notification requests (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).
Adware can also display scam-promoting ads or force-open such webpages. We recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified sources. To avoid installing software bundled with adware, we advise exercising caution with installation processes - e.g., reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced", and opting-out of all supplements.
If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all threats.
Text presented in the "CoinMarketCap Giveaway" scam:
Home Giveaway Rules Terms Transaction To Participate →
500 BTCGiveaway by COINMARKETCAP
Introducing the Bitcoin giveaway: For 24 hours we will host an giveaway on our platform to promote the Crypto. $35,000,000 will be sent out to all lucky members.
To Participate
Rules & information about bitcoin giveaway
Before participating, carefully read all the conditions, and make a transfer of your BTC to the address indicated, using the translation by QR code or simply translate to the address
About bitcoin giveaway event
During this unique event we will give you a chance to win 500 BTC, have a look at the rules and don't miss on your chance! You can only participate once!
Rules & information
To participate you just need to send from 0.02 BTC to 50 BTC to the contribution address and we will immediately send you back 0.04 BTC to 100 BTC (x2) to the address you sent it from.
Terms of our distribution
→ You can participate only once;
→ The number of coins for distribution is limited;
→ Hurry up and get your coins
Amount
0.02 BTC TO 50 BTC 0.02 BTC
0.02 BTC 0.1 BTC 1 BTC 10 BTC
Amount
0.04 BTC TO 100 BTC
0.04 BTC
0.04 BTC 0.2 BTC 2 BTC 20 BTC
You can send BTC to the following address:
1Cap53MYgmNcMehdULKxjGXfbhNkFVZ5PB
COPY ADDRESS TO CLIPBOARD
Waiting for payment
How can I participate?
Everything is very simple, carefully read each paragraph, and you will definitely succeed!
To make a transaction, you can use any wallet or exchange to participate!
Once we receive your transaction, the outgoing transaction is processed to your address.
Once we receive your transaction, we will immediately send the requested amount back to you.
Every address that is sent too late, gets their BTC immediately sent back.
LIVE TRANSACTIONS
1Cap53MYgmNcMehdULKxjGXfbhNkFVZ5PB
The appearance of "CoinMarketCap Giveaway" scam (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:
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Quick menu:
- What is CoinMarketCap Giveaway scam 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 an online scam?
An online scam is deceptive content of some manner, which is encountered on the Web. Scams aim to lure/scare users into performing specific actions, e.g., transferring money or digital currencies, revealing sensitive information, downloading/installing software, purchasing products, and so on.
What is the purpose of online scams?
Practically all scams are created to generate revenue for their designers. Scammers can profit through funds obtained by deception, abuse or sale of private data, software/product promotion, malware proliferation, and so forth.
I have sent cryptocurrency to the address presented in the "CoinMarketCap Giveaway" scam, can I get my money back?
Cryptocurrency transactions are practically untraceable, and as a result - they are irreversible. Therefore, it is exceedingly unlikely that you will be able to return your funds.
Why do I encounter online scams?
Online scams are run on untrustworthy webpages, which are usually accessed inadvertently. They are most commonly entered through mistyped URLs or redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?
Combo Cleaner can scan visited sites and detect rogue, deceptive, and malicious ones. Therefore, you will be warned immediately, and access to such pages will be restricted.
Outstanding!
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