Bitcoin Mining Scam (2024)

What kind of scam is "Bitcoin Mining"?

While inspecting spam emails, we discovered the "Bitcoin Mining" scam. This scheme is promoted on the Web. It claims that the user has been inactive on this automatic Bitcoin cloud mining platform for a long time – however, the amount of cryptocurrency mined can be retrieved.

It must be stressed that all these claims are false; they are used to deceive victims into disclosing their personal and financial data. Although, scams of this ilk may also target cryptowallet log-in credentials.

"Bitcoin Mining" scam overview

The scam webpage states that the user has been inactive on the "automatic cloud Bitcoin mining" platform they registered for 364 days ago. This service has linked the user's devices via their IP address. 1.3426 BTC (Bitcoin cryptocurrency) was generated during the period of inactivity, and it is possible to retrieve this sum. The amount is listed as worth 46862.11 USD, which is accurate to the conversion rate at the time of writing.

It must be emphasized that all the information provided by this scam is false and in no way associated with any legitimate service providers or platforms.

This scam targets personally identifiable details and financial data such as credit card numbers. It is noteworthy that scams of this kind may also aim to trick users into providing their cryptocurrency wallet log-in credentials.

To summarize, victims of scams like "Bitcoin Mining" may experience severe privacy issues, significant financial losses, and even identity theft.

If you have disclosed your private data (e.g., ID card details, passport photos/scans, credit card numbers, etc.) – immediately contact the appropriate authorities. However, if you have disclosed your log-in credentials – change the passwords of all possibly exposed accounts and inform their official support without delay.

Cryptocurrency-themed scam examples

We have investigated thousands of scams; "Brad Garlinghouse Crypto Giveaway", "Ledger Data Damage Error: 0x0m3Ck8n", "Apple Crypto Giveaway", "BlockChain scam", "Bittrex Crypto Giveaway", "ShibaInu AirDrop", and "Congratulations You just received TetherUSDT" are just some examples of cryptocurrency-centric ones.

The Web is full of schemes that promise and warn of various things. The end goal is always the same – to generate revenue at victims' expense.

How did I open a scam website?

We found several spam emails promoting the "Bitcoin Mining" phishing scam. These letters are multilingual. The known samples were in English, Dutch, French, and Polish. However, variants in other languages are likely.

The spam messages promise over 45 thousand USD to the recipients and instruct them to follow the provided links. While each of the emails has a link to a different site, they all redirect to the same "Bitcoin Mining" scam-running page (dashboard.cash-btc-partners[.]com).

It is pertinent to mention that this scheme may be endorsed using other methods as well. Scam pages can be force-opened the moment a site that uses rogue advertising networks is accessed. Alternatively, rogue websites can generate redirects to such webpages when hosted content (e.g., buttons, text input fields, ads, links, etc.) is clicked or otherwise interacted with.

Intrusive ads and spam browser notifications also promote online scams. Additionally, mistyping a website's URL can result in a redirect (or a redirection chain leading) to a deceptive webpage. Adware can also display ads or force-open sites that endorse scams.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We strongly advise caution with incoming emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, and other messages. Attachments or links found in suspect/irrelevant mail must not be opened, as they can be deceptive or even malicious.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing since fake and dangerous online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. Intrusive advertisem*nts and spam notifications are an example; despite their innocuous appearance – they redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, p*rnography, etc.).

To avoid receiving undesirable browser notifications – do not permit suspicious webpages to deliver them (i.e., do not click "Allow", "Allow Notifications", etc.). Instead, ignore or deny notification delivery from such pages (i.e., select "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).

We advise against using websites offering pirated content or other questionable services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as they are typically monetized via rogue advertising networks. Furthermore, pay attention to URLs and enter them with care.

To prevent bundled/harmful software from infiltrating the system – download only from official/verified sources and treat installations with caution (e.g., read terms, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, opt out of all additions). If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate all threats.

Appearance of "Bitcoin Mining" scam (GIF):

Text presented in the "Bitcoin Mining" scam:

Welcome back, user-id81214293!

It's been 364 days since you registered on our platform for automatic cloud Bitcoin mining. Your devices were linked to our platform by IP address.

You were inactive, but the cryptocurrency was still collected automatically from your device.

During your absence, you made 1.3426 BTC ($46862.11) USD through cloud mining.

Your balance:
1.3426 BTC ($46862.11)

Continue

Screenshots of spam emails promoting the "Bitcoin Mining" scam:

Sample 1:

Text presented in this email:

Subject: ********: You earned $45,418.32. Withdraw this money urgently

Dit is een aanvraag via hxxps://www.********/ van:
MauriceCek ;

YOUR INCOME WAS $45,891.37. YOU NEED TO WITHDRAW YOUR EARNINGS WITHIN 24 HOURS hxxp://grabmoneymakers-362375.musicbats[.]com/office

Sample 2:

Text presented in this email:

Subject: ********: You have been credited $45,007.78. Withdraw this money urgently

Une demande de contact a été formulée par e-mail via hxxps://www.********/ de la part de :
ShawnRaddy ;

Your account has been replenished with $45,629.15. Urgently withdraw your earned money hxxp://cashcrazestream-368168.bnblaunch[.]com/money

Sample 3:

Text presented in this email:

Subject: ********: THEY WILL TRANSFER YOU $45,211.99. WITHDRAW MONEY URGENTLY

To jest zapytanie z hxxps://www.********/ od:
ChrisNeocK ;

YOU EARNED $45,422.59. URGENTLY WITHDRAW YOUR EARNED MONEY hxxp://cashoutexplorer-102015.musicbats[.]com/bank

Sample 4:

Text presented within:

Subject: ********: URGENT NOTICE! For the site owner - ********

Hello.
You haven't logged into your personal account for a long time.
Your user-id81214293.
Over the past 364 days, you have earned 1.3426 BTC in our system.
In the near future, your account will be deleted due to inactivity and all bitcoins earned will be burned.
Urgently withdraw your earned funds to your wallet -

Yet another spam email promoting "Bitcoin Mining" scam:

Text presented within:

Subject: - Inactive for 364 Days: Your Bitcoin Collection, Auto Cloud Mining, Your Devices Connected

364 days have passed 364 days from the time when joined our automatic cloud Bitcoin mining.

While you were absent, there was an acquisition of 1.3426 BTC ($56872.54) USD via cloud mining.

The total in your account is 1.3426 BTC ($56899.39) USD.

Monitor your account - -

Best Regards,
Support_AlenBitImivE

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Quick menu:

• What is Bitcoin Mining scam website?
• 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 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 specific actions. For example, victims can be deceived into making monetary transactions, disclosing private information, calling fake support lines, purchasing products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing software, and so on.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are used to generate revenue for scammers. Cyber criminals profit primarily by obtaining funds through deception, abusing or selling private data, promoting content (e.g., websites, products, services, software, etc.), and spreading malware.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by an online scam, what should I do?

If you have disclosed account credentials – change the passwords of all possibly compromised accounts and inform their official support. And if you have provided other private information (e.g., ID card details, passport photos/scans, credit card numbers, etc.) – contact the corresponding authorities.

Why do I encounter online scams?

The "Bitcoin Mining" scam has been noted being promoted via spam emails. However, online scams are also endorsed through redirects caused by sites utilizing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner is designed to scan visited sites and detect rogue, scam, and malicious ones. Hence, should you enter such a webpage – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be blocked.