Avoid getting scammed by the fake "PancakeSwap Giveaway"
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is "PancakeSwap Giveaway"?
"PancakeSwap Giveaway" is a scam we discovered while inspecting deceptive websites. This fake giveaway promises to double the amount of CAKE cryptocurrency that users "contribute" to it. However, users will receive nothing in return and lose everything that they transfer to this scam.
"PancakeSwap Giveaway" scam overview
We discovered this "PancakeSwap Giveaway" scam being promoted on a rogue website that mimics the PancakeSwap website's actual address (URL), but in this case - it is misspelled as "pacnackewsap".
This fraudulent giveaway states that "PancakeSwap" has decided to distribute 1,000,000 CAKE coins to encourage the mass adoption of this cryptocurrency. Users can only participate once by transferring from 150 to 100,000 CAKE, and they will receive twice the amount (i.e., 300 to 200,000 CAKE) in return.
At the current exchange rate, the "contributions" users are asked to make are worth approximately 800 to 538,000 USD (note that the conversation may no longer be accurate since exchange rates constantly fluctuate).
As mentioned in the introduction, users will not be sent any amount of CAKE cryptocurrency regardless of how much they "contribute". In other words, the transferred cryptocurrency will simply be stolen by the scammers.
| Name | PancakeSwap Giveaway scam website |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | Users will receive twice the amount to CAKE cryptocurrency that they transfer to the "giveaway". |
| Disguise | Official PancakeSwap website. |
| Related Domains | pacnackewsap[.]finance |
| Detection Names (pacnackewsap[.]finance) | Combo Cleaner (Malware), G-Data (Malware), ESET (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (pacnackewsap[.]finance) | 104.21.21.134 |
| Distribution methods | Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications. |
| Damage | Loss of sensitive private information, 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-related scam examples
Due to the growing popularity of digital currencies - scams centering them have likewise increased in amount. We have analyzed hundreds of cryptocurrency-related schemes; "Tesla Giveaway", "BTC giveaway", "1INCH Giveaway", and "CoinMarketCap Giveaway" are some examples of fake cryptocurrency giveaways, while "Ronin Wallet scam", "BlockChain scam", "Solana scam", "Sync Wallets scam" - are phishing scams targeting cryptowallet log-in credentials.
How did I open a scam website?
Deceptive websites are typically entered inadvertently. Sites using rogue advertising networks can force-open scam pages once accessed or when hosted content (e.g., ads, buttons, links, etc.) is clicked. Misspelling a website's domain (URL) can result in a redirect (or redirection chain leading) to a scam site.
Additionally, online scams and promoted through spam browser notifications and intrusive ads. Adware is known to display deceptive content endorsing advertisements and force-open scam webpages.
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
Scam sites are usually accessed inadvertently via redirects caused by mistyped URLs, websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.
Therefore, we advise against visiting sites that offer pirated material or suspicious services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming and downloading, etc.) since they are typically monetized through rogue advertising networks. We recommend being cautious when entering URLs.
To avoid receiving unwanted browser notifications - do not permit questionable webpages to deliver them (i.e., do not click "Allow", "Allow Notifications", etc.). Instead, ignore or deny notification delivery (i.e., press "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).
To avoid allowing adware or other untrustworthy software into your device - download only from official/verified sources and approach installation processes with care. 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 "PancakeSwap Giveaway" scam:
Trade Earn Win NFT
$18.465
Connect Wallet
PancakeSwap
event 1 000 000 CAKE
To speed up the process of cryptocurrency mass adoption,
we’ve decided to run a 1 000 000 cake giveaway
Connect Wallet
Trade Now
About pancakeswap giveaway
During this unique event we will give you a chance to win 1 000 000 CAKE, have a look at the rules and don't miss on your chance! You can only participate once!
Fundamental rules
To participate you just need to staked or buy 150 CAKE to 100 000 CAKE to the contribution address and we will immediately send you back 300 CAKE to 200 000 CAKE (x2) to the address you sent it from.
300+ If you send 150+ CAKE, you will be get 300+ CAKE back
500+ If you send 500+ CAKE, you will be get 1000+ CAKE back
2000+ If you send 2000+ CAKE, you will be get 4000+ CAKE back
10000+ If you send 10000+ CAKE, you will be get 20000+ CAKE back
20000+ If you send 20000+ CAKE, you will be get 40000+ CAKE back
50000+ If you send 50000+ CAKE, you will be get 100000+ CAKE back
The appearance of "PancakeSwap Giveaway" scam (GIF):
Another example of a PancakeSwap-themed drainer website:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is PancakeSwap 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?
Online scams are messages (hosted on rogue sites) intended to deceive users into performing certain actions, e.g., transferring money/ digital currency, disclosing private information, downloading/installing software, etc.
What is the purpose of online scams?
Scams are designed to generate revenue for the scammers behind them. Online scams can generate profit via funds obtained through deception, sale or abuse of private data, software promotion, malware proliferation, and so forth.
I have sent cryptocurrency to the address presented in the "PancakeSwap Giveaway" scam, can I get my money back?
Cryptocurrency transactions are virtually untraceable, which makes them irreversible. Hence, you will be unable to return the CAKE cryptocurrency that you transferred to the "PancakeSwap Giveaway" scam.
Why do I encounter online scams?
Online scams are run on rogue websites, which most users enter via redirects caused by sites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, or installed adware.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?
Combo Cleaner is designed to scan visited sites and warn the user if the pages are found to be rogue, deceptive (scam), or malicious. Additionally, Combo Cleaner is capable of restricting all further access to such websites.
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