The “Chailink Treasury Reward” scam is a deceptive phishing scheme that targets cryptocurrency users, particularly holders of Chainlink ($LINK) tokens. Posing as an official Chainlink promotion, the scam entices victims to connect their wallets to a fake site—resulting in stolen crypto assets. This article explores how the scam works, its dangers, and how to detect and protect against it.
Threat Overview
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
Associated Domain | rewarding-chainlink[.]com |
Detection Names | G-Data (Phishing), Fortinet (Spam), Seclookup (Malicious) |
Symptoms of Infection | Fake rewards, unofficial domain, prompts to connect wallet, unrealistic promises |
Damage | Crypto asset theft, identity theft, exposure to malware |
Distribution Methods | Phishing emails, fake social media posts, rogue ads, hijacked websites |
Danger Level | High |
Removal Tool | SpyHunter |
In-Depth Analysis
How Did I Get Infected?
Victims typically encounter this scam through:
- Fake Social Media Promotions – Often from impersonated or compromised accounts.
- Phishing Emails – Posing as urgent announcements from Chainlink.
- Malicious Redirects – From hijacked websites or fake online advertisements.
- Pop-Up Advertisements – Offering unrealistic rewards for Chainlink token holders.
Each method funnels unsuspecting users to a fake “reward” page that mimics the look of a legitimate crypto dashboard or dApp interface.
What Does It Do?
Once a wallet is connected, the scam triggers malicious scripts that execute unauthorized transactions. These drain the wallet of all assets, transferring them to a scam-controlled address. Because blockchain transactions are irreversible, victims are unlikely to recover stolen funds.
The scam may also harvest user data, which could lead to further phishing attempts or identity fraud.
Should You Be Worried for Your System?
Yes. While the scam mainly targets crypto wallets, it can also compromise your browser and system through embedded malicious scripts. These can lead to unwanted redirects, credential theft, and even malware infections. Using a security tool like SpyHunter can help detect and remove these hidden threats.
Scam Message Example
Chailink Treasury Reward
Connect your wallet to claim your $LINK Interest Reward Shares from the Chainlink Treasury Pool.
Hurry! Unclaimed tokens will be burnt.
[Connect 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 Chailink Treasury Reward scam is a high-risk crypto phishing attack that disguises itself as a Chainlink giveaway. It’s designed to trick users into giving wallet access, resulting in immediate and irreversible loss of funds. Stay alert, avoid suspicious links, and protect your device with anti-malware solutions like SpyHunter to block such threats before they spread.