How to Deal With the SwapBased Crypto Drainer Scam

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While exploring suspicious online platforms, cybersecurity researchers uncovered a malicious imitation of the SwapBased platform — a known decentralized exchange. This fraudulent website, hosted at swapbase[.]finance, is a crypto drainerdesigned to trick users into connecting their digital wallets and authorizing malicious transactions. Once connected, victims may have their entire crypto holdings stolen without immediate signs of theft.

A Dangerous Lookalike

This scam leverages typosquatting — a deceptive tactic where the domain is nearly identical to the legitimate one, with just a minor alteration. In this case, the authentic site is swapbased.finance, while the scam version drops the “d” to become swapbase[.]finance. Visually, the fake site is almost indistinguishable from the real one, increasing the likelihood that users will trust and interact with it.

SwapBased itself is a legitimate platform built on the Base blockchain. The malicious clone uses its reputation to lure in crypto users, especially those unfamiliar with typosquatting and other phishing techniques.

What Happens When You Connect?

Once a victim connects their wallet to the fake site, they unknowingly authorize a smart contract that enables automated theft of their digital assets. These contracts often operate silently, stealing high-value assets first and continuing until the wallet is emptied. Because blockchain transactions are non-reversible and pseudonymous, recovering stolen funds is virtually impossible.

Some crypto drainers are sophisticated enough to mimic harmless transactions, making it hard for users to detect suspicious behavior until it’s too late.

Threat Summary

Attribute	Details
Threat Name	SwapBased Crypto Drainer
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer
Disguise	Fake SwapBased Website (swapbase[.]finance)
Related Domains	swapbase[.]finance
Associated Emails	Not available
Detection Names	G-Data (Phishing), others listed on VirusTotal
Serving IP Address	104.21.39.215
Distribution Methods	Compromised websites, social media spam, pop-up ads, rogue applications
Symptoms of Infection	Unexpected crypto wallet activity, unauthorized transactions, balance loss
Damage	Irreversible monetary loss
Danger Level	Very High
Removal Tool	SpyHunter

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Why This Scam Matters

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), over 46,000 people reported crypto-related scams since the start of 2021, with losses exceeding $1 billion. The SwapBased imitation is just one of many crypto drainer scams currently in circulation, but its near-perfect copy of the real site makes it especially dangerous.

This scam highlights the growing threat of phishing in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. As decentralized finance platforms grow in popularity, malicious actors are becoming more advanced, using polished websites and clever domain tricks to fool users.

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 SwapBased site is a severe threat to crypto holders. Always double-check domain names, avoid clicking suspicious links, and never connect your wallet to unknown platforms. If you suspect any malware or crypto drainer activity on your system, scanning with a trusted security tool like SpyHunter is highly recommended.