How to avoid getting scammed by fake "Yala" website

What is the fake "Yala" website?

While investigating suspicious websites, our researchers discovered this fake "Yala" page (yala-finance[.]network; potentially others). It impersonates the Yala site (yala.org), yet this scam is not associated with the real DeFi protocol. The purpose of this deceptive webpage is to trick users into exposing their digital wallets to a crypto 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 "Yala" website overview

We found this scam on yala-finance[.]network, but it could also be promoted on other domains. This fake webpage masquerades as Yala (yala.org). Yala is a DeFi (Decentralized Finance) protocol that provides an infrastructure for unlocking Bitcoin (BTC) yield across multiple ecosystems. This protocol enables users to access flexible liquidity and participate in yield-generating ventures without the necessity of selling their BTC.

It must be emphasized that this fraudulent page is not associated with the actual Yala protocol or any other existing projects, platforms, and entities.

Once a cryptowallet is connected to the scam site – the action signs a malicious contract that facilitates the cryptocurrency drainer. It operates by enabling automated outgoing transactions from the wallet. Thus, the process of siphoning the victim's funds begins. Some drainers can approximate the value of digital assets and determine which to steal first. These transactions may look innocuous, so they can remain unnoticed for a significant amount of time.

It must be mentioned that due to the nearly untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions – they cannot be reversed. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Yala" website cannot recover the stolen funds.

Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples

"Bitcoin Pepe Presale", "Crypto Trading Bot Scam", and "Ethereum (ETH) Rewards" are just a couple of our articles on drainers. Crypto scams often appear legitimate and may even perfectly copy the design of existing sites. There are three primary modes of operation for these scams – utilizing draining mechanisms to steal funds from wallets, targeting wallet log-in credentials, or tricking users into manually transferring assets to scammer-owned wallets.

Due to how prevalent deceptive/malicious content is on the Web and how well-disguised it can be – we strongly advise exercising caution when browsing.

How did I open a scam website?

Cryptocurrency drainers are commonly endorsed via intrusive pop-up ads (malvertising). The pop-ups may be fully functional drainers (i.e., capable of executing draining scripts). These advertisements have even been encountered on legitimate sites that had been hacked.

Another prevalent promotional technique is social media spam. The posts and direct/private messages (DMs/PMs) can be made using accounts stolen from real celebrities, influencers, projects, companies, organizations, etc.

Other endorsement techniques are possible. Aside from those previously mentioned, online scams are often spread through websites that utilize rogue advertising networks, different types of spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, robocalls/ cold calls, browser notifications, forum posts, etc.), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), and adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is key to ensuring your online safety. Therefore, be wary of websites, ads, and messages that make unbelievable promises. Pay attention to URLs and enter them carefully. Do not use sites offering pirated programs/media or other dubious services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages are typically monetized via rogue advertising networks.

Be vigilant with incoming emails and other messages; do not open attachments or links found in suspect/irrelevant mail. Do not permit questionable pages to deliver browser notifications and ignore or block such requests.

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, 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 fake "Yala" website (GIF):

Screenshot of the official Yala website (yala.org):

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:

By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Quick menu:

• What is "Fake Yala Website" 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?

Online scams are a type of Internet content. These scams aim to trick users into performing specific actions, e.g., connecting cryptowallets to drainers, sending money to scammers, providing sensitive data, downloading/installing software, purchasing products, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are designed to generate revenue for scammers. They may profit by acquiring funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), abusing/selling private information, spreading malware, or by other nefarious means.

I have lost digital assets to a fake Yala website, can I get my money back?

No, cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible due to their practically untraceable nature. Hence, victims of scams like this fake "Yala" website cannot retrieve the stolen assets.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are most commonly encountered via spam (e.g., social media posts, DMs/PMs, emails, browser notifications, SMSes, calls, etc.), sites utilizing rogue advertising networks, intrusive adverts (malvertising), mistyped URLs (typosquatting), and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites for deceptive/malicious content. Therefore, should you happen upon such a webpage – you will be immediately warned, and further access to it will be blocked.