SatoshiVM Token Airdrop Scam (2024)

What kind of scam is "SatoshiVM Token Airdrop"?

This "SatoshiVM Token Airdrop" is fake. The airdrop claims to distribute Satoshi (SATS) – the smallest unit of Bitcoin (BTC) cryptocurrency. The user has to connect their cryptowallet to the giveaway to check its eligibility. However, after a wallet is linked – the scam starts operating as a cryptocurrency drainer.

"SatoshiVM Token Airdrop" scam overview

This scam is presented as an airdrop (essentially, a giveaway) of the Satoshi (SATS) token. It is the smallest unit of Bitcoins (BTC). The user can check eligibility by connecting their digital wallet, if eligible – they will receive some amount of SATS.

It must be stressed that this airdrop is fake. Therefore, once connected, the scam begins operating as a crypto drainer. In other words, the funds stored in the wallet are automatically transferred to the cyber criminals.

The financial loss can be significant if the victims' digital assets are highly valuable. It is noteworthy that cryptocurrency transactions are practically untraceable – hence, they cannot be reversed.

Threat Summary:
Name	"SatoshiVM Token Airdrop" scam website
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Users may be eligible to receive Satoshi (SATS) cryptocurrency.
Related Domains	satoshivmclaim[.]xyz
Detection Names (satoshivmclaim[.]xyz)	Emsisoft (Phishing), Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (satoshivmclaim[.]xyz)	172.67.143.17
Distribution methods	Spam social media posts, compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications.
Damage	Monetary loss
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples

We have investigated countless online scams; "Coinbase Cashback", "Gasfees Airdrop", and "QQL Mint Pass" are merely a couple of crypto-draining schemes we have written about recently.

Aside from drainers, cryptocurrency-centered scams can target wallet log-in credentials or trick users into transferring funds for a supposed doubled/tripled return.

Various scams are promoted on the Web. While they use different claims and mechanisms, the end goal is the same – to generate revenue at victims' expense.

How did I open a scam website?

"SatoshiVM Token Airdrop" has been noted being endorsed by posts on the X (formerly Twitter) social media platform. The posts were likely made by accounts stolen from organizations, companies, celebrities, influencers, etc. This is standard for cryptocurrency scam promotion, as it creates an impression of legitimacy.

Other methods for pushing this scheme are not unlikely. To expand upon this, online scams are most commonly accessed via attachments/links in spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, browser notifications, etc.) and redirects generated by websites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, and installed adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We highly recommend being cautious while browsing since fraudulent and dangerous online content typically appears legitimate and harmless. For example, while intrusive ads and spam browser notifications may look innocuous – they redirect to unreliable and dubious pages (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, p*rnography, adult dating, etc.).

Another recommendation is to pay attention to URLs and enter them carefully. To avoid receiving unwanted browser notifications – do not permit suspect webpages to deliver them (i.e., do not click "Allow", "Allow Notifications", etc.). Instead, ignore or deny notification delivery (i.e., select "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).

We advise against using websites that offer pirated content or other questionable services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages typically utilize rogue advertising networks.

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 macOS.

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 macOS) - 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?

Online scams are deceptive messages designed to trick users into performing certain actions. For example, victims can be enticed/scared into connecting wallets to cryptocurrency drainers, disclosing vulnerable information, making monetary transactions, purchasing products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing software, and so on.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams aim to generate revenue. Primarily, scammers profit by obtaining through deception, abusing or selling private data, promoting content (e.g., websites, products, software, services, etc.), and spreading malware.

I have lost cryptocurrency to the "SatoshiVM Token Airdrop" scam, can I get my money back?

Cryptocurrency transactions are virtually untraceable; hence, they cannot be reversed – meaning victims will be incapable of retrieving their funds.

Why do I encounter online scams?

"SatoshiVM Token Airdrop" was promoted by posts on X (formerly Twitter), which were likely posted using stolen accounts. In general, online scams are endorsed through spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, emails, PMs/DMs, browser notifications, etc.) and redirects generated by sites utilizing rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, intrusive ads, and installed adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites for rogue, deceptive, or malicious content. Therefore, should you enter such a webpage – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be blocked.

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