How to identify fake "WalletConnect Token (WCT)" airdrops

What is the fake "WalletConnect Token (WCT) Airdrop" website?

While investigating suspicious websites, our researchers discovered this fake "WalletConnect Token (WCT) Airdrop". The scam offers an unbelievable discount for WalletConnect Tokens (WCT), yet after victims make the purchase – they receive nothing. It must be emphasized that this scam is in no way associated with the actual WalletConnect Network (walletconnect.network).

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 "WalletConnect Token (WCT) Airdrop" website overview

We discovered this scam on walletconnect-airdrop[.]org, yet it could also be promoted on other domains. This fraudulent page impersonates the WalletConnect Network (walletconnect.network). WalletConnect Network is a decentralized cross-chain protocol that connects cryptowallets and dApps (Decentralized Applications).

It must be reiterated that the scam site is not associated with the real WalletConnect Network or any other existing projects, platforms, and entities.

The deceptive webpage claims to be running an airdrop wherein users can purchase 140 thousand WCT (WalletConnect network's native tokens) for 1 ETH (Ethereum cryptocurrency). At the time of writing, 1 ETH is worth close to 3,000 USD, which would allow users to purchase approximately 5,500 WCT. Hence, the bogus deal sounds incredibly lucrative.

When a user tries to make the purchase, they are required to enter their digital wallet address, and the site claims to create a Web wallet. However, when funds are transferred to the provided wallet – the user does not receive any WCT.

It must be mentioned that cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible due to their practically untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "WalletConnect Token (WCT) Airdrop" website cannot recover their assets.

Cryptocurrency-targeting scam examples

Typically, crypto scams operate in one of three ways – tricking users into manually transferring funds to scammer-owned wallets, utilizing draining mechanisms to siphon funds from exposed wallets, or phishing for wallet log-in credentials.

Online scams are often poorly constructed, yet they can be competently made and even perfectly copy the design of legitimate websites. Therefore, vigilance is critical when browsing and investing.

"Hedera (HDR) Airdrop", "Origin Ether (oETH) Airdrop", "$STARS Airdrop", fake "Galxe" website, "Mind Of Pepe ($MIND) Airdrop", fake "Atomic Wallet" website, "Clearport Crypto Tumbler", and fake "Vulcan" website are merely some of our latest articles on cryptocurrency-specific scams.

How did I open a scam website?

Online are most commonly promoted through malvertising (intrusive advertisements), websites utilizing rogue advertising networks (redirects), spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, PMs/DMs, emails, SMSes, robocalls/ cold calls, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting (mistyped URLs), and adware (ads or redirects).

Cryptocurrency-centered scams are often endorsed via intrusive pop-up adverts. We have even encountered ads that are fully functional drainers (i.e., capable of executing draining scripts). These pop-ups have been encountered on legitimate sites that had been hacked.

Social media spam is another prevalent crypto scam promotion technique. These posts and private/direct messages can be made using accounts stolen from real projects, companies, organizations, entrepreneurs, celebrities, influencers, and so on.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is imperative to ensuring your online safety. Therefore, be wary of sites, ads, and messages that make unbelievable promises or warn of severe issues. Pay attention to URLs and enter them carefully. Do not use websites offering pirated content or other questionable services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages usually employ rogue advertising networks.

Do not enable dubious pages to deliver browser notifications; instead, ignore or deny these requests (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Be vigilant with incoming emails and other messages; do not open attachments or links found in suspicious/irrelevant communications.

Download only from official/verified sources and be attentive when installing (e.g., read terms, explore options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/hazardous software (like adware) 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 "WalletConnect Token (WCT) Airdrop" website (GIF):

Screenshot of the official WalletConnect Network website (walletconnect.network):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is "WalletConnect Token (WCT) Airdrop" 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 a type of Web content designed to trick users into performing specific actions. For example, victims can be deceived into making monetary transactions, connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, disclosing private information, downloading/installing software, purchasing products, subscribing to services, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

The purpose of online scams is to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals primarily profit by acquiring funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., sites, products, services, etc.), abusing/selling sensitive data, and spreading malware.

I have lost digital assets to the "WalletConnect Token (WCT) Airdrop" scam, can I get my money back?

No, these transactions cannot be reversed. Hence, cryptocurrency lost to scams like this fake "WalletConnect Token (WCT) Airdrop" website cannot be recovered.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are predominantly promoted through malvertising, spam (e.g., emails, PMs/DMs, social media posts, browser notifications, etc.), webpages that use rogue advertising networks, typosquatting, and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan visited sites for deceptive/malicious content. It can also deny all further access to websites that host such content.