The “Earn Sahara Points” scam is a deceptive phishing scheme crafted to exploit cryptocurrency holders by imitating a legitimate reward platform. Victims are persuaded to connect their digital wallets with the false promise of earning “Sahara Points” and unlocking crypto incentives. Instead of receiving rewards, users unknowingly authorize a malicious smart contract that drains their crypto wallets.
Threat Overview
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Threat Type | Scam, Phishing, Cryptocurrency Drainer |
Fake Claim | Earn Sahara Points by completing tasks to receive crypto rewards |
Disguise | Mimics Sahara AI’s legitimate branding |
Associated Domain | app.saaharalabs[.]com |
Detection Names | G-Data (Phishing), Fortinet (Spam), others |
Symptoms of Infection | Unapproved cryptocurrency transfers, abnormal wallet activity, rapid asset depletion |
Damage | Loss of cryptocurrency assets |
Distribution Methods | Fake social media profiles, malicious websites, deceptive online ads, phishing campaigns |
Danger Level | High |
Removal Tool | SpyHunter |
Understanding the “Earn Sahara Points” Scam
How Did I Get Infected?
You likely encountered this scam through:
- Phishing Emails: Promoting exclusive Sahara AI rewards or partner programs.
- Fake Social Media Ads: Posts that direct users to the malicious app.saaharalabs[.]com site.
- Online Advertisements: Redirects to phishing sites claiming limited-time rewards.
- Telegram/Discord Messages: Impersonators offering early access to Sahara points or investment opportunities.
These methods are designed to trick users into clicking a phishing link and connecting their crypto wallets.
What Does It Do?
Once a user connects their crypto wallet to the scam site, a malicious smart contract executes in the background. This contract gives the attacker permission to move funds from the wallet. Within seconds, your crypto can be drained with no way to recover the lost assets.
This scam doesn’t just steal money—it also compromises your wallet credentials and may attempt to target you in future phishing attacks.
Should You Be Worried for Your System?
Yes. Although this scam primarily targets your crypto wallet, the malicious site may also:
- Steal personal or browser autofill data.
- Load additional scripts to track or infect your device.
- Lead to more phishing or identity theft attempts.
If you connected a wallet or clicked suspicious links, run a malware scan immediately and secure your crypto assets by revoking wallet permissions and moving funds to a new secure wallet.
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 "Earn Sahara Points" scam is a high-risk phishing threat leveraging the popularity of cryptocurrency platforms to steal digital assets. By copying the branding of legitimate AI-based services, the scammers exploit trust and curiosity to hijack wallets through malicious code.
To protect yourself:
- Never connect your crypto wallet to unknown or unverified platforms.
- Stay alert to reward-based promotions that ask for wallet access.
- Use trusted malware detection software like SpyHunter to protect your system.