How to spot scams like "Claim Espresso (ESP)" fake offer

What is "Claim Espresso (ESP)" scam?

We have checked claim-espresso[.]app (another associated domain is claim-espressofoundation[.]org) and discovered that it mimics the original Espresso (espressosys.com) page. It is operated by scammers who seek to steal cryptocurrency from unsuspecting individuals. This unofficial and fraudulent page should be avoided and closed if ever visited.

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.

"Claim Espresso (ESP)" in detail

Espresso (espressosys.com) is a system that helps Layer 2 blockchains confirm transactions quickly and reliably. It gives chains fast and trustworthy information, not just about their own activity, but also about other connected chains. This makes it easier for different blockchains to work together safely.

The fake sites (claim-espresso[.]app and claim-espressofoundation[.]org) are disguised as the "Espresso Claim Portal". They suggest that their users can claim Espresso tokens by connecting their wallets. Such schemes are usually classified as fake airdrops (crypto giveaways). In reality, victims never receive any cryptocurrency.

The purpose of this scam is to lure visitors into connecting their wallets, a step that allows the site to activate a cryptocurrency drainer. Once this malicious tool is executed, it automatically moves cryptocurrency from a user's wallet to the scammer's wallet.

Because blockchain transactions are irreversible, any funds lost in these scams are typically lost forever. It is essential to be very careful with websites promising free cryptocurrency to avoid scams.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this scam pretends to be part of Espresso to trick users into connecting their wallets to a fake "claim portal". By doing so, victims unknowingly activate a cryptocurrency drainer that can empty their wallets. Thus, this and other unofficial pages offering cryptocurrency or other rewards should not be trusted.

Some examples of similar scams are the fake "Avici Airdrop", "Almanak Staking Launch", and "Santa Airdrop" sites.

How did I open a scam website?

Scammers often exploit hacked WordPress sites or stolen (or fake) social media accounts on platforms like Facebook and X (Twitter) to direct users to fraudulent websites. They also use rogue advertising networks commonly found on torrent sites, illegal streaming platforms, and other high-risk websites.

Deceptive buttons, pop-ups, ads, and links on untrustworthy pages, malicious links in deceptive emails, notifications from untrustworthy websites, and ads delivered by adware can also lead users to scam websites.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Avoid clicking links or opening attachments in irrelevant or unexpected emails (or other types of messages) from unknown senders. Ignore pop-ups, ads, links, and buttons on untrustworthy websites, and never allow these sites to send notifications. Download software from official websites or trusted app stores.

Keep the operating system and all applications up to date. Run regular scans with reputable security software to detect and remove threats. 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 "Claim Espresso (ESP)" scam (GIF):

The original Espresso website (espressosys.com):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is Claim Espresso (ESP) fake portal?
• 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 airdrop?

Fraudulent airdrops entice users with promises of free cryptocurrency, often asking them to connect their wallets or take other steps to claim it.

What is the purpose of a crypto scam?

The intention of these scams is to steal digital assets. Scammers aim to achieve this by compromising wallets or deceiving users into sending their crypto.

Why do I encounter scam websites?

Scammers often spread their schemes through pop-ups, ads, and links on shady websites, as well as hacked WordPress sites and compromised social media accounts. Malicious links in emails, fake notifications, or adware can also direct users to these dangerous sites. In addition, rogue advertising networks on torrent sites, illegal streaming platforms, and similar services can be used to promote scams.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from scams?

Combo Cleaner scans websites for security risks, detects suspicious activity or potential scams, and notifies users.