How to Deal With the Fake “Claim Empyreal (EMP)” Airdrop Scam

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While browsing suspicious websites, cybersecurity researchers uncovered a deceptive page imitating the Empyreal (empyrealsdk.com) platform. Disguised as a token airdrop portal, the fake “Claim Empyreal (EMP)” website is a scam that uses social engineering and phishing techniques to trick unsuspecting users into connecting their cryptocurrency wallets. Once connected, a malicious smart contract is executed, giving hackers access to drain digital funds directly from the victim’s wallet.

This scam is part of a growing trend targeting the cryptocurrency community by posing as legitimate blockchain platforms offering free tokens. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported that over $1 billion has been stolen in crypto-related scams since 2021. That’s a staggering statistic, underlining the importance of staying vigilant when navigating unknown crypto spaces.

What Is the “Claim Empyreal (EMP)” Scam?

The fake website, found at empyreai-registration[.]co, is a near-perfect replica of the real Empyreal SDK platform, which offers AI-based tools for Web3 development. The scam site promises users they can claim unclaimed EMP tokens by connecting their wallets. However, this action actually signs a malicious smart contract. Once approved, the contract facilitates automated asset transfers, often targeting the most valuable tokens first.

Unfortunately, because cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible and largely untraceable, victims have little recourse once their funds are stolen.

Fake “Claim Empyreal (EMP)” Threat Overview

Here is a summarized table outlining the most critical details of this threat:

Parameter	Details
Threat Name	Fake “Claim Empyreal (EMP)” Airdrop Scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Cryptocurrency Drainer
Fake Claim	Empyreal (empyrealsdk.com)
Disguise	Empyreal SDK platform
Related Domains	empyreai-registration[.]co
Associated Emails	N/A
Detection Names	G-Data (Phishing), See Full List on VirusTotal
Symptoms of Infection	Sudden loss of crypto funds, unauthorized outgoing wallet transactions
Damage	Irreversible monetary loss
Distribution Methods	Malicious websites, social media spam, rogue ads, PUAs
Danger Level	High
Removal Tool	SpyHunter

Why It’s Dangerous

What makes the “Claim Empyreal (EMP)” scam so dangerous is its deceptively authentic design. The scam website closely mirrors the original Empyreal SDK page, making it hard for inexperienced users to spot the fraud. Moreover, it leverages Web3 wallet integrations (like MetaMask) to execute its draining mechanism under the guise of a simple token claim.

The damage isn’t just monetary — trust in legitimate Web3 platforms erodes when scams like these circulate freely. Many victims may not even realize their wallet has been drained until much later, making recovery virtually impossible.

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Eliminating Crypto Scam Threats

Step 1: Identify and Report the Scam

1. Gather evidence (screenshots, emails, transaction IDs).
2. 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

1. Google Chrome:
   • Open chrome://extensions/
   • Remove any unfamiliar or crypto-related suspicious add-ons.
2. Firefox / Edge / Safari:
   • Go to browser settings > extensions → Delete suspicious ones.
3. 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.)

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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

Download SpyHunter Here

Follow SpyHunter installation instructions here: SpyHunter Download Guide

Step 2: Install and Run SpyHunter

1. Run the SpyHunter installer.
2. Follow the on-screen installation steps.
3. Launch SpyHunter after installation.

Step 3: Perform a Full Malware Scan

1. Click “Start Scan Now”.
2. 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

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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 fake “Claim Empyreal (EMP)” website is a malicious crypto drainer disguised as an airdrop campaign. It poses serious risks to anyone who interacts with it, from monetary theft to long-term wallet compromise. Always verify the authenticity of token airdrop sites, and never connect your crypto wallet to unknown platforms. If you’ve interacted with such a site, consider scanning your system for malware and keyloggers using a reputable security tool like SpyHunter.