Cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to deceive cryptocurrency holders, and one of the most recent scams targeting unsuspecting investors is the Claim BasedAI scam. Disguised as an opportunity to claim free $BasedAI tokens, this fake website uses social engineering tactics to lure victims into connecting their digital wallets. The result? Immediate theft of cryptocurrency assets.
Let’s dive deeper into how this scam works, how it disguises itself as a legitimate project, and why it’s crucial to verify any crypto claim before taking action.
What is Claim BasedAI?
Claim BasedAI is a fraudulent version of the legitimate BasedAI (BASEDAI) project. While the original BasedAI is a decentralized AI ecosystem powered by blockchain and digital tokens called Brain Credits, the Claim BasedAI scam has no real affiliation with this platform.
Instead, scammers create a phishing site, such as claims-basedai[.]com
, to falsely promise crypto holders a chance to claim $BasedAI tokens. They often use stolen branding, fake social media profiles, and urgent messaging to pressure users into acting quickly.
How the Scam Works
Victims are lured to the fake site and told they are eligible to claim free tokens. They are then prompted to connect their crypto wallets to the site. Upon doing so, a cryptocurrency drainer is activated—a malicious script designed to automatically siphon funds from the connected wallet into accounts controlled by the scammers. Because blockchain transactions are irreversible, these stolen assets are almost always lost forever.
Threat Summary
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Threat Name | Claim BasedAI fake website |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Crypto Fraud |
Fake Claim | Free claim of $BasedAI tokens |
Disguise | BasedAI (BASEDAI) legitimate project |
Related Domain | claims-basedai[.]com |
Associated Emails | Not publicly listed, typically hidden or not used |
Detection Names | CRDF (Malicious), G-Data (Phishing), multiple on VirusTotal |
Symptoms | Unofficial domain, fake token claims, missing verification, urgent calls to action |
Distribution Methods | Hijacked sites, fake social media posts, pop-ups, email links |
Damage | Loss of crypto assets, identity theft, possible malware infections |
Danger Level | High |
Recommended Tool | SpyHunter for threat detection |
Why This Scam Is Dangerous
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), over $1 billion has been lost to crypto scams since 2021—accounting for 1 in 4 dollars reported lost to fraud. The Claim BasedAI scam reflects this growing trend of phishing threats designed to mimic popular crypto projects. Because of their sophistication, even experienced users may fall victim.
Scammers leverage the trust and buzz around innovative blockchain projects like BasedAI to make their scams seem legitimate. They often use realistic branding and create fake scarcity (“limited availability”) to push users into rash decisions.
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 BasedAI scam is a sobering reminder of how deceptive online threats can be—especially in the crypto space. The promise of free tokens can be tempting, but always verify the authenticity of any platform before interacting with it. Look for official domain names, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and never connect your wallet to an untrusted source.
If you've interacted with the scam site or suspect your system may be infected, run a full malware scan using a trusted tool like SpyHunter to detect any lingering threats.
Stay informed, stay cautious, and never trust a “free” crypto offer without verifying it first.