How to recognize scams like this fake "Claim $PSYOP" webpage

What is the fake "Claim $PSYOP" website?

While investigating dubious websites, our researchers discovered this fake "Claim $PSYOP" page. Instead of distributing tokens, this webpage deceives 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 "Claim $PSYOP" website overview

This scam was discovered on drop.psyopcoin[.]fun – however, it could also be hosted on other domains. The deceptive webpage supposedly distributes the PSYOP token. It must be emphasized that this airdrop is fake, and this scam is not associated with any existing projects, platforms, and entities.

When a user links their cryptowallet to this page, they unintentionally sign a malicious contract. It activates the cryptocurrency drainer, which facilitates automated outgoing transactions from the victim's wallet.

These transactions may be made to appear innocuous, so they can escape notice for a long time. Some drainers can approximate the value of digital assets and determine which to prioritize stealing.

It must be mentioned that cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because of their nearly untraceable nature. Hence, victims of scams like this fake "Claim $PSYOP" webpage cannot retrieve the stolen funds.

Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples

We have analyzed thousands of online scams; "Telcoin ($TEL) Rewards", "T3rn ($TRN) Airdrop", "Giza Rewards", and "Claim $aura" are just a few of our newest articles on crypto drainers. In addition to using draining scripts, cryptocurrency-targeting scams commonly work by phishing for wallet log-in credentials or deceiving victims into transferring money to scammer-owned wallets themselves.

Due to how widespread scams are on the Web and how well-crafted they can be – we highly recommend vigilance when browsing and investing.

How did I open a scam website?

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

Cryptocurrency scams are commonly endorsed through intrusive pop-up adverts, some of which are fully functional drainers (i.e., capable of executing draining scripts). Ads of this kind might even be encountered on legitimate sites that had been hacked.

Social media spam is another widely used method. Promotional posts and private/direct messages (PMs/DMs) can be made using accounts stolen from real projects, companies, organizations, influencers, celebrities, entrepreneurs, and so on.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is paramount to online safety. Hence, always be wary of websites, advertisements, and messages that make unbelievable promises or warn about severe threats. 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 usually utilize rogue advertising networks.

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

Download only from official/verified sources and be cautious when installing (e.g., explore terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/dangerous software (like adware) from infiltrating the device.

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 "Claim $PSYOP" website (GIF):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is "Claim $PSYOP" 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?

An online scam is a type of deceptive content hosted on the Internet. Scams of this kind aim to trick users into performing specific actions, such as connecting digital wallets to cryptocurrency drainers, sending money to scammers, disclosing vulnerable information, purchasing products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing software, and so on.

What is the purpose of online scams?

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

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

Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible due to their practically untraceable nature. Hence, victims of scams like this fake "Claim $PSYOP" page cannot recover the stolen assets.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are mainly encountered via malvertising, sites using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, DMs/PMs, social media posts, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting, and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites and detect rogue, scam, and dangerous pages. It can also block all further access sites hosting deceptive or malicious content.