The Ethereum (ETH) Rewards Scam is a deceptive phishing operation targeting unsuspecting cryptocurrency users. Disguised as a legitimate platform (such as ethrewards[.]pro), the scam lures users into connecting their wallets under the pretense of claiming free Ethereum “rewards.” In reality, these sites deploy malicious smart contracts that silently drain victims’ wallets.
Overview Table
Criteria | Details |
---|---|
Threat Type | Phishing / Crypto Drainer / Social Engineering |
Associated Domains | ethrewards[.]pro (likely others) |
Detection Names | alphaMountain.ai (Phishing), CRDF, CyRadar, G‑Data (Phishing), Seclookup, VirusTotal |
Symptoms of Infection | – Wallet connection pop-ups – Unexpected wallet drains via signed contracts – Repeated small withdrawals |
Damage & Distribution | Automatic siphoning of crypto assets after contract signature; distributed via compromised websites, social media spam, rogue pop-up ads, adware |
Danger Level | High (irreversible monetary loss) |
Removal Tool | SpyHunter – the recommended anti-malware tool for eliminating malicious content and blocking deceptive websites. Download SpyHunter |
Detailed Analysis
How Users Get Infected
Users are typically led to the phishing site through malicious advertising, search engine results, or social media links. These fake reward sites display fabricated statistics like “eligible wallets” and “distributed rewards” to build trust. Victims are then prompted to connect their cryptocurrency wallet to claim rewards.
Once connected, users are asked to sign a smart contract. This contract often grants permissions that allow attackers to withdraw funds without further approval. These transactions can be executed immediately or at intervals to avoid detection.
What the Scam Does
- Simulates legitimacy: The website mimics professional crypto tools and shows realistic data.
- Exploits smart-contract permissions: Users unintentionally grant full or partial access to their wallets.
- Executes automatic drains: Transactions are executed through decentralized protocols to evade tracking.
Should You Be Worried?
Yes. The nature of blockchain transactions is irreversible. If you sign a malicious contract, attackers can continue to access your funds indefinitely unless permissions are revoked. Since these operations are highly convincing and often mimic real DeFi services, even experienced users can fall victim.
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 Ethereum (ETH) Rewards Scam is a highly dangerous phishing tactic aimed at draining cryptocurrency wallets under the guise of free rewards. It leverages advanced social engineering, deceptive user interfaces, and smart contract manipulation to steal digital assets quickly and anonymously. Users should remain vigilant, avoid interacting with unknown websites, and use tools like SpyHunter to remove associated malware and prevent future attacks.