How to identify fake sites like "Aztec Token Public Sale"

What is "Fake Aztec Token Public Sale"?

Our team has analysed the website (saleaztec[.]network) and concluded that it is a copy of the original Aztec site (aztec.network). The scammers behind the fake web page seek to trick visitors into connecting their wallets. If they succeed, they can steal victims' cryptocurrency.

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.

"Fake Aztec Token Public Sale" in detail

Aztec is a privacy-focused Layer 2 solution on the Ethereum blockchain. It allows private and public functions, keeping sensitive data hidden while still interacting with the blockchain. Aztec uses its own virtual machine to enable privacy features and extend Ethereum’s capabilities. The original Aztec website is aztec.network.

Scammers created a fake website, saleaztec[.]network, to deceive visitors into connecting their wallets for a supposed "public token sale". However, if someone connects a wallet while on the site, they unknowingly enable a cryptocurrency drainer. This drainer can transfer cryptocurrency from the victim's wallet to the scammers'.

Once a cryptocurrency wallet is compromised, the victim has limited options to recover their funds because blockchain transactions are irreversible. In most cases, the victim loses cryptocurrency permanently. Therefore, it is crucial to be careful when visiting websites that promise free tokens or similar offers, as they are often scams.

Conclusion

This scam utilizes a fake Aztec token sale to deceive users into connecting their wallets, thereby allowing scammers to steal cryptocurrency. Once crypto holdings are lost, they are often unrecoverable. Users should always verify websites and be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true.

Some examples of similar scams are the fake "United States Crypto Reserve ($USCR) Airdrop", "Ripple (XRP) Airdrop", and "ZKsync ($ZK) Airdrop".

How did I open a scam website?

Cybercriminals often use stolen or fake social media accounts to send scam messages on platforms like Facebook and X (Twitter). They may also take over WordPress sites to host or promote scams. In some cases, software such as adware can take users to these sites.

People can also end up on scam webpages by clicking ads, links, or other elements on untrustworthy sites. Scam pages may also be reached through phishing emails, push notifications from shady websites, or rogue advertising networks on torrent pages, illegal streaming platforms, adult sites, and similar locations.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Ensure your system and apps are always up to date, and run regular scans with reliable antivirus tools. Do not trust unexpected, irrelevant emails or messages, especially if they ask you to open attachments or click links. Download software only from official sources, such as verified app stores or the developer's website.

While browsing, avoid interacting with ads, pop-ups, and buttons on questionable sites. If a suspicious page tries to send you notifications, deny the request and close it immediately. 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 "Fake Aztek Token Public Sale" scam site (GIF):

The original Aztec website (aztec.network):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is Bogus Aztec token public sale website?
• 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 crypto scam?

A crypto scam is a fraudulent scheme that usually involves fake websites that use fake token sales or impersonation of legitimate projects to deceive users.

What is the purpose of a crypto scam?

The majority of these scams are utilized to steal cryptocurrency. Scammers use fake sites to steal login details or malicious tools that can drain wallets.

Why do I encounter scam websites?

Fraudsters use stolen or fake social media accounts, compromised websites, and adware to promote scams. Users can also be directed to scam pages through deceptive ads, links, phishing emails, push notifications, or rogue advertising networks on torrent, adult, and similar sites.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from scams?

Combo Cleaner scans all websites visited and can identify those that are malicious. This includes sites that host scams, allowing users to receive instant warnings and have access to these sites blocked.