How to avoid getting scammed by fake "Flare Portal" websites

What is the fake "Flare Portal" website?

Our researchers discovered this fraudulent "Flare Portal" webpage during a routine investigative session. This page masquerades as the official Flare Portal website (portal.flare.network). The phishing scam aims to deceive users into disclosing their digital wallet log-in credentials.

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 "Flare Portal" website overview

We found this scam on onflr.trustportals[.]net, but it could also be hosted on different domains. This deceptive page impersonates the Flare Portal site (portal.flare.network). Flare Network offers services for dApps (Decentralized Applications), such as real-time data concerning cryptocurrency prices, events, and so forth.

It must be emphasized that this fake site is not associated with either the Flare Portal or Network, nor any other existing projects, platforms, and entities.

When an attempt is made to connect a digital wallet to the scam webpage, an "error" occurs, and the user is requested to link the cryptowallet manually – by providing their log-in credentials. The passphrase entered into this page is recorded and sent to scammers, thus enabling them to steal the wallet and the digital assets therein.

What is more, cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because they are practically untraceable. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Flare Portal" website cannot recover the stolen funds.

Crypto scam examples

Fake "Qubetics" website, fake "Hyperliquid Fee Refund" website, "Sahara Airdrop", "Gigabrain Token Airdrop", fake "Param Gaming" website, "Kelp Staking", fake "Humanity Protocol" website, and "Fix Web3 Issues" are merely some of our latest articles on scams that seek to steal cryptocurrency.

Aside from targeting wallet log-in credentials, crypto scams commonly operate by using draining mechanisms to siphon funds from exposed wallets or tricking users into manually transferring assets to scammer-owned wallets.

While online scams are often poorly made and riddled with mistakes, they can be competently put together and even convincingly disguised as content associated with legitimate identities. Due to this, we highly recommend exercising caution when browsing and investing online.

How did I open a scam website?

The most common online scam endorsement techniques include: websites employing rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, social media/ forum posts, DMs/PMs, browser notifications, SMSes, cold calls/ robocalls, etc.), intrusive ads (malvertising), misspelled URLs (typosquatting), and adware.

Crypto scams are often promoted through social media spam. The posts and direct/private messages endorsing this deceptive content can be made using accounts stolen from real projects, companies, entrepreneurs, celebrities, influencers, etc.

Another prevalent promotional method is a type of malvertising, specifically – intrusive pop-up adverts. The pop-ups may be fully functional crypto drainers (i.e., capable of executing draining scripts themselves). It is noteworthy that these advertisements have been encountered on genuine websites that had been compromised.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is essential to online safety. Therefore, be wary of sites, ads, and messages that make unbelievable promises or warn of severe threats. Do not use websites offering pirated programs/media or other dubious services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages are usually monetized through rogue advertising networks.

Take note of URLs and type them carefully. Do not permit 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 found in suspicious/irrelevant mail.

Download only from official/trustworthy channels and be attentive when installing (e.g., study terms and options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/hazardous 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 "Flare Portal" website (GIF):

Screenshot of the official Flare Portal website (portal.flare.network):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is "Fake Flare Portal Website" phishing scam?
• 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 scams that are hosted on the Internet. They aim to trick users into performing specific actions, such as disclosing vulnerable information (like log-in credentials), sending money to scammers, connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, purchasing products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing programs, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

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

I have provided my personal information when tricked by an online scam, what should I do?

If you have provided your log-in credentials – immediately change the passwords/passphrases of all possibly exposed accounts and inform their official support. However, if you've disclosed other private information (e.g., ID card details, passport scans, credit card numbers, etc.) – contact the appropriate authorities without delay.

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

Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible due to being practically untraceable. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Flare Portal" site cannot get their money back.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are predominantly encountered via websites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam (e.g., social media posts, emails, browser notifications, DMs/PMs, etc.), misspelled URLs, and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan visited sites for deceptive/malicious content. Therefore, should you happen upon such a webpage – Combo Cleaner will immediately warn you and restrict all further access to it.