How to avoid getting scammed by fake Multichain websites

What is the fake "Multichain" website?

While investigating suspect websites, our researchers discovered this fake "Multichain" page (arbiusclaim.pages[.]dev; potentially, other domains). This webpage impersonates the official Multichain website (multichain.org). The scam aims to deceive users into exposing their digital wallets to a cryptocurrency 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 "Multichain" website overview

We discovered this scam on arbiusclaim.pages[.]dev, yet it could also be hosted on different domains. The fake webpage is a close visual copy of the official Multichain website (multichain.org). Multichain is a cross-chain bridging protocol that facilitates the transfer of cryptocurrencies and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) between different blockchains.

It must be stressed that this fraudulent page is not associated with the real Multichain or any other existing projects, platforms, and entities.

Once a wallet is connected to the scam site, the action signs a malicious contract that activates the cryptocurrency drainer. This mechanism transfers funds from the victim's wallet into ones in the cyber criminals' possession through automated transactions. This activity may appear vague, so it can remain unnoticed for a significant amount of time. Some drainers can roughly estimate the value of digital assets and prioritize the theft of those with the highest worth.

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

Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples

"Toncoin (TON) Bonus Rewards", "$HILO Rewards", and "$TOSHI Airdrop" are merely a couple of our newest articles on drainers. Aside from using draining mechanisms, cryptocurrency-specific scams commonly operate by tricking users into manually transferring funds to scammer-owned wallets or phishing for wallet log-in credentials.

Online scams are often poorly made and riddled with mistakes; however, they can be competently put together and even convincingly disguised as content associated with legitimate entities. Due to how widespread deceptive content is on the Web – we highly recommend exercising caution when browsing and investing.

How did I open a scam website?

Cryptocurrency drainers are commonly promoted via intrusive pop-up ads (malvertising). Some are fully functional drainers; these pop-ups entice users into connecting their cryptowallets by promising incredible boons. It is noteworthy that these advertisements may be encountered on legitimate websites that have been compromised.

Social media spam is another common crypto scam promotion technique. Spam posts and direct/private messages (DMs/PMs) endorsing these scams can be made using accounts stolen from real projects, companies, organizations, celebrities, influencers, etc.

Other endorsement methods are not unlikely. Aside from the previously mentioned, online scams are promoted through webpages using rogue advertising networks, different spam types (e.g., emails, forum posts, browser notifications, robocalls/ cold calls, SMSes, etc.), typosquatting (mistyped URLs), and adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is critical to ensuring your online safety. Therefore, be wary of websites, ads, and messages making promises that sound too good to be true. Pay attention to URLs and enter them carefully. Do not use sites offering pirated content or other questionable services (e.g., illegal streaming/downloading, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages typically use rogue advertising networks.

Do not enable suspect pages to deliver browser notifications; ignore or block their notification requests. Be vigilant with incoming emails and other messages; do not open attachments or links present in dubious communications.

Download only from official/verified sources and be careful when installing (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/harmful 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 "Multichain" website (GIF):

Screenshot of the official Multichain website (multichain.org):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is "Fake Multichain 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 deceptive Web content that aims to trick users into performing specific actions. For example, victims can be deceived into connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, making monetary transactions, disclosing vulnerable information, downloading/installing software, purchasing products, subscribing to services, and so on.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are intended to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals primarily profit by obtaining funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), abusing/selling private data, and spreading malware.

I have lost digital assets to the "Multichain" scam, can I get my money back?

Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible because they are practically untraceable. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Multichain" website cannot get their money back.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are primarily promoted via malvertising (intrusive adverts), websites that use rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., social media posts, emails, PMs/DMs, browser notifications, calls, SMSes, etc.), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites and detect rogue, deceptive, and malicious pages. It can also restrict all further access to sites hosting such content.