How to identify scams like the fake "Claim $ZORA" platform

What kind of scam is "Claim $ZORA"?

We have inspected the page (claim-4g5.pages[.]dev) and concluded that it is a copy of the original ZORA (zora.co) site. The fake website offers users the chance to claim $ZORA tokens as a lure. Its purpose is to trick individuals into taking actions that can lead to the theft of their cryptocurrency.

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.

"Claim $ZORA" fake website in detail

Zora.co is a blockchain-based platform that allows users to tokenize their digital content (such as images, videos, and artwork) into a tradable asset. The fake website offers users the opportunity to receive $ZORA tokens by connecting their wallets. However, following the instructions on the site (connecting a wallet) activates a cryptocurrency drainer.

A cryptocurrency drainer is a malicious tool that allows fraudsters to steal cryptocurrency from victims. It transfers cryptocurrency from the victim's wallet to the scammer's. Unfortunately, in most cases, stolen cryptocurrency cannot be recovered. This is due to the decentralized and irreversible nature of blockchain transactions.

Therefore, it is important to be careful when visiting crypto-related web pages offering free tokens or other benefits. Such websites should be thoroughly examined before connecting a wallet, sending cryptocurrency, or taking other actions to avoid monetary loss or other negative outcomes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the fake Zora platform is a scam designed to steal cryptocurrency from victims. By disguising itself as a legitimate opportunity, it tricks victims into connecting their wallets, thereby enabling a drainer to siphon funds. The irreversible nature of blockchain transactions highlights the need for caution when interacting with crypto-related websites.

More examples of similar scams are the fake "Ethereum (ETH) Reward Program", "Chailink Treasury Reward", and "Haedal Airdrop" platforms.

How did I open a scam website?

Typically, scammers use fake profiles on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook to direct users to fraudulent websites designed to steal cryptocurrency through drainers. They also use compromised WordPress sites to spread these scams.

Users may also arrive at scam pages through deceptive emails and misleading advertisements, pop-ups, and links on untrustworthy websites (or notifications sent by such websites). In other cases, users may land on such pages via rogue ad networks often used by torrent sites, illegal streaming pages, and similar shady platforms.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Avoid interacting with ads, pop-ups, and similar elements on shady sites, and do not grant such pages permission to show notifications. Download software and apps from legitimate sources, such as official websites or app stores. Be skeptical of unsolicited or irrelevant emails from unknown addresses and never open links or attachments they contain.

Also, do not click links in suspicious messages from people on social media. Ensure your operating system and applications are kept up to date, and use trusted security software to perform regular scans and remove potential threats. If your computer is already infected with unwanted apps, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

The appearance of "Claim $ZORA" scam website (GIF):

Thre original website (zora.co):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is Fake Claim $ZORA 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 a crypto scam?

A cryptocurrency scam is a fraudulent scheme designed to deceive users into performing actions that benefit scammers, such as connecting their wallets or sending crypto.

What is the purpose of a crypto scam?

The main objective of these scams is to steal cryptocurrency. Scammers employ tactics such as crypto drainers, fraudulent promotions, and other manipulative strategies to achieve this goal.

Why do I encounter scam websites?

Scammers often create fake profiles on social media and hijack WordPress sites to direct users to fraudulent websites that steal cryptocurrency through drainers. Users can also be lured to scam pages through deceptive emails, misleading ads, pop-ups on untrustworthy websites, and rogue ad networks used by shady pages (e.g., torrent and illegal streaming sites).

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from scam sites?

Combo Cleaner scans websites for potential threats, identifies harmful or deceptive pages, and blocks access to them, offering protection against scams, malware, and other online risks.