A new phishing scam is targeting cryptocurrency users by impersonating the official Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) platform. The fraudulent site, hosted at ipfs.interface[.]social
, claims to offer free WBTC rewards but is designed to steal funds from unsuspecting victims. This scam is particularly dangerous due to the irreversible nature of cryptocurrency transactions.
Threat Overview
The “Claim Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC)” scam is a deceptive phishing scheme that mimics the legitimate WBTC platform to trick users into connecting their cryptocurrency wallets. Once connected, a malicious script known as a “crypto drainer” is activated, transferring all assets from the victim’s wallet to the scammer’s address.
Threat Details
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
Fake Claim | Users can claim free WBTC rewards |
Disguise | Mimics the official Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) platform |
Associated Domain | ipfs.interface[.]social |
Detection Names | alphaMountain.ai (Phishing), CyRadar (Malicious), Fortinet (Phishing), G-Data (Phishing), Webroot (Malicious) |
Symptoms | Unofficial domain, lack of verification, unrealistic reward claims |
Distribution Methods | Deceptive emails, compromised websites, fake social media profiles, rogue ads |
Damage | Irreversible loss of cryptocurrency funds |
Danger Level | High |
Removal Tool | SpyHunter |
In-Depth Analysis
How Did I Get Infected?
Victims typically encounter this scam through:
- Phishing Emails: Messages that appear to be from legitimate sources, prompting users to claim WBTC rewards.
- Compromised Websites: Visiting hacked or malicious sites that redirect to the fraudulent WBTC claim page.
- Social Media Scams: Fake profiles or ads on platforms like Twitter and Facebook promoting the fake reward.
What Does It Do?
Upon connecting a cryptocurrency wallet to the fake site, a crypto drainer script is executed. This script automatically transfers all assets from the victim’s wallet to the scammer’s address without any further action required from the user. Due to the nature of blockchain transactions, these transfers are irreversible.
Should You Be Worried?
Absolutely. This scam poses a significant threat to anyone holding cryptocurrency. The loss of funds is immediate and permanent, with no recourse for recovery. Even experienced users can fall victim if they are not vigilant.
Eliminating Crypto Scam Threats
Step 1: Identify and Report the Scam
- Gather evidence (screenshots, emails, transaction IDs).
- Report the fraud to:
- Your crypto exchange (Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, etc.).
- Law enforcement agencies like the FBI’s IC3 (ic3.gov) or the SEC (sec.gov/tcr).
- The Federal Trade Commission (reportfraud.ftc.gov).
- Blockchain explorers (like Etherscan) to check your wallet transactions.
Step 2: Uninstall Suspicious Software & Apps
- On Windows: Open Control Panel > Programs & Features → Find & Uninstall suspicious programs.
- On macOS:Go to Finder > Applications → Drag unwanted apps to Trash.
- On Android & iOS: Go to Settings > Apps → Uninstall fake crypto wallets or trading apps.
Step 3: Remove Malicious Browser Extensions
- Google Chrome:
- Open
chrome://extensions/
- Remove any unfamiliar or crypto-related suspicious add-ons.
- Open
- Firefox / Edge / Safari:
- Go to browser settings > extensions → Delete suspicious ones.
- Clear browser cache & cookies:
- Open browser settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data.
Step 4: Secure Your Accounts & Wallets
Change passwords immediately for:
- Crypto wallets
- Exchanges
- Email & social media
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
- Use Google Authenticator, YubiKey, or Authy.
Move remaining funds to a secure wallet:
- Use a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor) instead of online wallets.
Step 5: Scan for Hidden Malware & Keyloggers
Your system may still have spyware, tracking your keystrokes or redirecting you to scam sites. A deep scan is essentialto detect and remove threats.
⏳ For a thorough malware check, use SpyHunter. (See Method 2 below.)
Automatic Removal with SpyHunter
If you suspect hidden malware, SpyHunter can detect and remove crypto scam-related malware, trojans, and browser hijackers.
Step 1: Download SpyHunter
Follow SpyHunter installation instructions here: SpyHunter Download Guide
Step 2: Install and Run SpyHunter
- Run the SpyHunter installer.
- Follow the on-screen installation steps.
- Launch SpyHunter after installation.
Step 3: Perform a Full Malware Scan
- Click “Start Scan Now”.
- Let SpyHunter scan for:
- Crypto-stealing malware
- Browser hijackers redirecting to fake exchanges
- Phishing-related spyware
Step 4: Remove All Detected Threats
- Click “Fix Threats” to eliminate malicious programs.
- Restart your system to complete the cleanup.
Step 5: Enable Real-Time Protection for Future Security
Activate SpyHunter’s real-time protection to:
- Block phishing & scam websites
- Prevent future infections
- Monitor system vulnerabilities
Proactive Prevention: How to Avoid Crypto Scams
- NEVER share your private keys or seed phrases – even with “support teams.”
- Always verify URLs before logging in to exchanges.
- Use only official wallet apps from trusted sources.
- Ignore unsolicited investment offers via Telegram, Discord, and social media.
- Check for HTTPS & security certificates before entering login details.
- Regularly scan your device for hidden malware and spyware.
- Store crypto in a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor) rather than online wallets.
Conclusion
The “Claim Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC)” scam is a sophisticated phishing attack that exploits users’ trust in legitimate platforms. By mimicking the official WBTC site, scammers lure victims into connecting their wallets, leading to the theft of their cryptocurrency assets. It’s crucial to verify the authenticity of websites before interacting with them, especially when dealing with financial transactions.
To protect your system from potential malware associated with such scams, consider using SpyHunter, a reliable malware removal tool.