How to identify scams like "APRO ($AT) Airdrop"

What is the fake "APRO ($AT) Airdrop"?

Our review of apro-iivechecker[.]com shows that it mimics the original APRO site (apro.com). The site's operators aim to steal cryptocurrency by deceiving visitors into enabling a malicious tool that can empty their crypto wallets. Thus, it is highly advisable to avoid websites like this one.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We do not review crypto projects, please do your own research when investing money.

Federal Trade Commission (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.

"APRO ($AT) Airdrop" scam in detail

APRO (apro.com) is an oracle that provides reliable data to blockchain applications. It supports advanced ecosystems like RWA, AI, prediction markets, and DeFi. APRO is the first AI-enhanced oracle, offering smarter and faster data. It is designed to be easy for startups to use while helping larger companies save costs.

The scam website (apro-iivechecker[.]com) claims that APRO airdrop is live. It promotes a fraudulent cryptocurrency giveawy to deceive visitors into connecting their wallets. However, victims of this scam will never receive any crypto and can have their crypto holdings stolen.

Connecting a wallet while on apro-iivechecker[.]com activates a cryptocurrency drainer, a malicious tool designed to empty wallets by transferring crypto from the connected wallet to the scammer's wallet. Because blockchain transactions cannot be undone, any cryptocurrency that is stolen cannot be returned.

That is why it is important to always check that a crypto platform is legitimate and trustworthy before sending funds, connecting a wallet, or interacting with it in any other way.

Conclusion

APRO is an oracle supporting advanced blockchain ecosystems. The website apro-iivechecker[.]com, however, is a scam impersonating APRO to trick users with a fake cryptocurrency giveaway. Falling for this scam can cause irreversible crypto loss. It is noteworthy that there are numerous scams like this one.

Some examples are the fake "Fake MegaETH Sale", "ZERA Distribution", "Vultisig ($VULT) Airdrop" sites.

How did I open a scam website?

Fraudsters frequently use fake or hacked social media accounts (e.g., X/Twitter, Facebook) and compromised WordPress sites to run their scams. They also rely on misleading links, buttons, or ads on questionable websites to deceive users into opening scam sites.

Additionally, scam pages are promoted through fake notifications from shady pages, phishing emails, adware-type applications, and rogue advertising networks found on adult, torrent, illegal movie streaming, and other high-risk sites.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Do not interact with attachments or links in emails or messages that seem unusual or untrusted and (or) are sent from unknown senders. Only get apps or files from official sources (official pages or app stores). Keep your OS and programs up to date, and regularly scan your device with reliable security tools.

Also, avoid clicking pop-ups, ads, or links on suspicious websites, and never allow notifications from them. If your computer is already infected with unwanted apps, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

The appearance of "APRO ($AT) Airdrop" scam (GIF):

The original APRO website (apro.com):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is Fake APRO ($AT) Airdrop?
• 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 a fake crypto giveaway?

Fake cryptocurrency giveaways are scams designed to trick users into thinking they will receive free crypto by completing specific actions that benefit scammers.

What is the purpose of a fake crypto giveaway?

The intention behind a fake crypto giveaway is to lure users into exposing their personal details, sending crypto, or taking other actions. Scammers use them mainly to steal cryptocurrency.

Why do I encounter scam websites?

Fraudsters distribute their schemes using stolen or fake social media accounts, hijacked websites, misleading links or ads on untrustworthy pages, deceptive emails, adware, fake notifications from unreliable sites, and suspicious advertising networks. The aforementioned networks are commonly found on torrent sites, adult platforms, and illegal streaming websites.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from scams?

Combo Cleaner keeps users safe from malicious websites by identifying them, issuing alerts, and blocking access.