How to identify scams like "Pippin Token Airdrop" fake website

What is the fake "Pippin Token Airdrop"?

While examining the website (app-pippin[.]trade), we found that it is made to appear as the original Pippin platform (pippin.love). The fake site has a very similar design to trick visitors into believing that they are on the real page. The scammers behind the deceptive site aim to steal cryptocurrency from users.

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 "Pippin Token Airdrop" in detail

Pippin.love is a website focused on Pippin, an AI-inspired unicorn character. The project is linked to a Solana-based meme cryptocurrency token. The site promotes engagement through themed events, social interactions, and exploration of AI-driven concepts, blending art, technology, and digital culture.

The fake website, app-pippin[.]trade, is a scam version of the Pippin project. It promotes a Pippin Token Airdrop, claiming users can claim free tokens through a supposedly verified smart contract. The purpose of this fraudulent website is to lure visitors into connecting their wallets to "claim" tokens.

However, instead of receiving any tokens, users activate a cryptocurrency drainer. This tool is used by scammers to empty wallets. Once launched, the drainer can transfer cryptocurrency stored in the victim's wallet to the one owned by fraudsters. After a cryptocurrency transaction is completed, it is almost impossible to recover any lost funds because these transactions cannot be reversed.

Falling victim to this type of scam can lead to serious financial losses. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully verify any crypto platform before connecting your wallet, sending funds, sharing personal information, or performing any other actions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, app-pippin[.]trade is a fraudulent imitation of pippin.love and is designed to steal cryptocurrency. It tricks users with a fake token airdrop to drain wallets. Since cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, users are strongly advised to thoroughly verify crypto platforms and avoid connecting wallets or sharing sensitive information on untrusted sites.

Here are more examples of similar scams: "Claim Espresso (ESP) Scam", "Avici Airdrop Scam", and "Almanak Staking Launch Scam".

How did I open a scam website?

Fraudsters often advertise their fraudulent websites by compromising WordPress sites or using stolen or fake social media accounts on platforms such as Facebook and X (Twitter). They also exploit untrustworthy ad networks on torrent sites, illegal streaming services, and other questionable pages.

Users may also encounter scams through deceptive buttons, pop-ups, ads, and links on shady websites. Additional examples of channels used to promote fraudulent sites are malicious links in phishing emails, fake notifications from suspicious pages, or ads delivered by adware.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Always get software from official websites or trusted app stores. Ensure your operating system and applications are regularly updated. Do not interact with pop-ups, ads, buttons, or links on suspicious websites, and never permit these sites to send notifications. Be cautious with unexpected messages from unknown senders - avoid opening links or attachments they contain.

Regularly use reputable security software to scan your device and remove any potential 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 "Pippin Token Airdrop" scam (GIF):

The real Pippin website (pippin.love):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is Fake Pippin token giveaway?
• 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?

Scam airdrops lure users by offering free cryptocurrency, typically requesting wallet connections or other actions to receive it.

What is the purpose of a crypto scam?

Scammers use these scams to steal cryptocurrency, often by compromising wallets or misleading users into making transfers.

Why do I encounter scam websites?

Scammers use hacked WordPress sites, compromised social media accounts, pop-ups, ads, and links on dubious sites, as well as malicious links in emails, fake notifications, or adware, to direct users to untrustworthy platforms. Additionally, rogue advertising networks on torrent sites, illegal streaming services, and similar pages are often exploited to promote scams.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from scams?

Combo Cleaner analyzes websites for security threats, identifies suspicious behavior or possible scams, and alerts users.