How to avoid getting scammed by fake Web3 crypto exchange platforms

What is the fake "Web3 Crypto Exchange Platform" website?

While investigating dubious websites, our researchers discovered this fake "Web3 Crypto Exchange Platform" (syncnoderesolver[.]com; possibly other domains). Instead of providing the promised services, this webpage tricks users into exposing their cryptowallets 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 "Web3 Crypto Exchange Platform" website overview

We found this scam on syncnoderesolver[.]com, yet it could also be hosted on other domains. This fraudulent page is presented as a cryptocurrency exchange that is run with the aid of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and can fix various Web3 issues. The site cannot provide any of the advertised services and is not associated with existing platforms, projects, or entities.

The scam webpage prompts users to connect their digital wallets – doing so activates the cryptocurrency drainer. It works by facilitating automated transactions from victims' wallets to those owned by scammers. This activity may appear vague, so it can remain unnoticed for a long time. Some drainers can roughly estimate the value of digital assets and determine which to steal first.

It must be mentioned that due to the nearly untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions, they cannot be reversed. Hence, victims of scams like this fake "Web3 Crypto Exchange Platform" website cannot retrieve the stolen funds.

Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples

"FUEL Points Program", Fake "PendleSwap" website, and "Claim $PSYOP" are just a couple of our newest articles on drainers. Cryptocurrency scams can work in several different ways, and those that are the most common include: using draining mechanisms to siphon funds from wallets, phishing for wallet log-in credentials, and tricking users into manually transferring assets to scammer-owned wallets.

Online scams are often poorly made and full of various mistakes. However, they can be competently put together and even convincingly disguised as content associated with legitimate entities. Therefore, we highly recommend exercising caution when browsing and investing online.

How did I open a scam website?

In general, online scams are promoted through intrusive advertisements (malvertising), sites using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, DMs/PMs, emails, browser notifications, cold calls/ robocalls, SMSes, etc.), misspelled URLs (typosquatting), and adware.

Crypto drainers are often endorsed via intrusive pop-up ads. Some are fully functional drainers themselves; they entice users into "linking" digital wallets by promising incredible benefits. These adverts have even been encountered on legitimate websites that had been hacked.

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

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution and vigilance are essential to ensuring your online safety. Therefore, be wary of sites, adverts, and messages that make unbelievable promises or warn about severe threats. Take note of URLs and enter them attentively.

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 permit dubious pages to deliver browser notifications; instead, ignore or deny their requests (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Do not open attachments or links found in suspicious/irrelevant emails and other messages.

Download from official/verified sources and be careful when installing (e.g., study terms, explore options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, tools, features, etc.) – to prevent bundled/dangerous 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 "Web3 Crypto Exchange Platform" website (GIF):

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Quick menu:

• What is "Fake Web3 Crypto Exchange Platform" 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 content hosted on the Web that aims to trick users into performing specific actions. For example, victims can be lured into connecting cryptowallets to drainers, providing vulnerable information, making monetary transactions, downloading/installing programs, purchasing products, subscribing to services, and so forth.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are designed to generate revenue at their victims' expense. Cyber criminals predominantly profit by obtaining funds through deception, promoting content, abusing/selling private data, and proliferating malware.

I have lost digital assets to the "Web3 Crypto Exchange Platform" scam, can I get my money back?

Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible due to their practically untraceable nature. Hence, victims of scams like this fake "Web3 Crypto Exchange Platform" site cannot retrieve the stolen assets.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are most commonly promoted through intrusive ads, webpages that use rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, browser notifications, social media posts, DMs/PMs, SMSes, calls, etc.), misspelled URLs, and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan every single website that you visit for deceptive/malicious content. Should you happen upon such a webpage – Combo Cleaner will warn you and deny all further access to the site.