Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated — and the fake PumpBTC Airdrop is a stark example. A newly identified phishing scam hosted at claims-pumpbtc[.]net is tricking unsuspecting users into connecting their wallets under the pretense of receiving free $PUMP tokens. This fraudulent site impersonates the legitimate PumpBTC platform (mainnet.pumpbtc.xyz) to steal funds and personal crypto wallet credentials.
Despite mimicking the appearance and tone of the real project, the fake site is nothing more than a cryptocurrency drainer. Victims who connect their wallets unknowingly authorize transactions that immediately transfer their holdings to the scammer’s wallet — often irreversibly.
What is the Real PumpBTC?
The legitimate PumpBTC project allows Bitcoin holders to earn extra rewards by locking their BTC into a system called Babylon. It functions like a high-interest savings account for your crypto, offering yield over time. Scammers have exploited this model by faking a giveaway to add an air of legitimacy to their scheme.
How the Fake PumpBTC Airdrop Scam Works
The fraudulent page claims-pumpbtc[.]net announces a fake airdrop, inviting users to “check eligibility” by connecting their wallet. Once connected, malicious scripts embedded into the site automatically initiate unauthorized transactions, draining assets from the victim’s wallet.
These phishing scams often circulate via fake social media accounts, stolen Twitter handles, rogue advertisements, and even via hijacked links on compromised websites.
Threat Summary Table
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Threat Name | Fake PumpBTC Airdrop |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
Fake Claim | $PUMP token airdrop eligibility for PumpBTC users |
Disguise | Imitates the legitimate PumpBTC giveaway |
Associated Domain | claims-pumpbtc[.]net |
Detection Names | CRDF (Malicious), G-Data (Phishing), more on VirusTotal |
Symptoms | Unofficial domain, unrealistic offers, wallet connection prompt |
Distribution Methods | Fake social media, rogue ads, pop-ups, compromised websites |
Damage | Loss of funds, sensitive data exposure, identity theft, malware infections |
Danger Level | ⚠️ High |
Recommended Tool | SpyHunter – Malware Removal Tool |
Why This Matters
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), since the start of 2021, over 46,000 individuals have reported losses exceeding $1 billion due to crypto-related scams. That’s one in every four dollars lost via scams being traced back to cryptocurrency schemes — a powerful reminder to stay vigilant.
The Fake PumpBTC Airdrop is not an isolated case but part of a larger trend of fraudulent giveaways designed to capitalize on the crypto community’s enthusiasm for “free” token drops. As wallet connections become the new attack vector, even seasoned investors are at risk.
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.
Final Thoughts
Scammers are evolving, and crypto phishing attacks like the PumpBTC Airdrop scam show just how advanced and convincing they can be. Always double-check domains, question offers that seem too good to be true, and never connect your wallet to a site unless you’re 100% sure it’s legitimate.
For those concerned about exposure to such scams, using a trusted malware removal tool like SpyHunter can help detect and eliminate related threats from your system.