The “Bitcoin Mining” scam is a deceptive scheme designed to lure unsuspecting individuals into revealing personal and financial information. Promoted through spam emails and misleading websites, this scam claims that users have been inactive on an automatic Bitcoin cloud mining platform, and they can retrieve a substantial amount of cryptocurrency. In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive threat evaluation, step-by-step instructions for users to remove the scam, and essential measures for future prevention.
Understanding the “Bitcoin Mining” Scam
The “Bitcoin Mining” scam operates by making false claims that users have been inactive on an automatic cloud Bitcoin mining platform for an extended period. It alleges that a specific amount of Bitcoin cryptocurrency (e.g., 1.3426 BTC) has been generated during this inactivity, with its value often estimated in USD (e.g., $46,862.11). This false information is used to deceive victims into believing they can retrieve these funds.
However, it is crucial to emphasize that all the claims made by this scam are entirely fabricated and have no association with legitimate services or platforms.
The scam’s primary objective is to obtain personally identifiable information and financial data, including credit card numbers. Furthermore, scams like “Bitcoin Mining” may also attempt to trick users into revealing their cryptocurrency wallet log-in credentials.
The domains related to the ‘Bitcoin Mining’ scam are:
- dashboard.cash-btc-partners[.]com (hosting “Bitcoin Mining” scam)
- grabmoneymakers-362375.musicbats[.]com
- cashcrazestream-368168.bnblaunch[.]com
- cashoutexplorer-102015.musicbats[.]com (sites promoted via spam emails).
the serving IP address for this scam is 104.21.83.248.
There are numerous similar scams, such as the following: “Brad Garlinghouse Crypto Giveaway”, “Ledger Data Damage Error: 0x0m3Ck8n”, “Apple Crypto Giveaway”, “BlockChain scam”, “Bittrex Crypto Giveaway”, “ShibaInu AirDrop”, and “Congratulations You just received TetherUSDT”.
Threat Evaluation
The Text of the “Bitcoin Mining” Scam:
Welcome back, user-id81214293!
It’s been 364 days since you registered on our platform for automatic cloud Bitcoin mining. Your devices were linked to our platform by IP address.
You were inactive, but the cryptocurrency was still collected automatically from your device.
During your absence, you made 1.3426 BTC ($46862.11) USD through cloud mining.
Your balance:
1.3426 BTC ($46862.11)
Continue
Text presented in the “Bitcoin Mining” scam
Text of a “Bitcoin Mining” Phishing Email:
Subject: ********: You earned $45,418.32. Withdraw this money urgently
Dit is een aanvraag via hxxps://www.********/ van:
MauriceCek ;
YOUR INCOME WAS $45,891.37. YOU NEED TO WITHDRAW YOUR EARNINGS WITHIN 24 HOURS hxxp://grabmoneymakers-362375.musicbats[.]com/office
An example of a typical bitcoin mining email scam
Subject: ********: You have been credited $45,007.78. Withdraw this money urgently
Une demande de contact a été formulée par e-mail via hxxps://www.********/ de la part de :
ShawnRaddy ;
Your account has been replenished with $45,629.15. Urgently withdraw your earned money hxxp://cashcrazestream-368168.bnblaunch[.]com/money
A second example of a typical bitcoin mining email scam
Subject: ********: THEY WILL TRANSFER YOU $45,211.99. WITHDRAW MONEY URGENTLY
To jest zapytanie z hxxps://www.********/ od:
ChrisNeocK ;
YOU EARNED $45,422.59. URGENTLY WITHDRAW YOUR EARNED MONEY hxxp://cashoutexplorer-102015.musicbats[.]com/bank
Another sample email from the “Bitcoin Mining” scam
Dangers Posed by the “Bitcoin Mining” Scam
Victims of scams such as “Bitcoin Mining” may face various risks, including:
- Loss of Sensitive Information: Disclosure of private data, such as ID card details, passport photos/scans, and credit card numbers, puts individuals at risk of identity theft and financial fraud.
- Monetary Loss: Scammers may exploit victims to make monetary transactions, leading to financial losses.
- Identity Theft: Given the amount of personal information requested, victims of this scam are susceptible to identity theft and subsequent misuse of their identity.
- Possible Malware Infections: While not directly associated with malware, scams like “Bitcoin Mining” often lead to malicious websites, increasing the risk of malware infections.
Steps for Safely Navigating the “Bitcoin Mining” Scam
If you’ve encountered the “Bitcoin Mining” scam or suspect that you may have disclosed sensitive information, it’s essential to take immediate action. Follow these removal steps:
Revoke Notification Permissions:
If you have enabled notifications from any scam-related websites, revoke these permissions. Instructions may vary based on your web browser:
- For Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari, go to your browser settings, locate “Notifications” under site permissions, and block or remove notifications from the scam website.
Run a System Scan
- Perform a full system scan using reputable antivirus and anti-malware software to ensure your device is free from any malicious files or programs.
Change Passwords:
- If you have disclosed login credentials, change the passwords for all relevant accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
Inform Official Support:
- Contact the official support teams of any affected accounts or services to report the potential compromise and seek their guidance on securing your account.
Future Prevention
To guard against future encounters with scams like “Bitcoin Mining,” consider adopting the following preventive measures:
- Exercise Caution with Emails: Be cautious with incoming emails, especially those from unknown senders or containing attachments and links. Do not open attachments or click on links in suspicious or irrelevant emails.
- Avoid Deceptive Websites: Stay vigilant when browsing the web, and avoid websites offering pirated content or other questionable services. Use official and verified sources for downloads to prevent unwanted software installations.
- Manage Browser Notifications: Only permit websites you trust to send notifications. Ignore or deny notification requests from unfamiliar or suspicious websites.
- Beware of Intrusive Ads: Be cautious when encountering intrusive ads or spam browser notifications, as they may lead to unreliable and deceptive websites.
- Verify URLs: Pay attention to website URLs and ensure they are legitimate. Typing URLs manually or using bookmarks can help avoid deceptive websites.
Conclusion
The “Bitcoin Mining” scam is a deceptive scheme that preys on individuals’ trust and financial aspirations. To protect your privacy and finances, it is essential to take immediate steps if you’ve encountered this scam. By following the provided removal instructions, you can mitigate the potential damage. Additionally, adopting preventive measures, such as exercising caution with emails and managing browser notifications, will help safeguard your online experience against future threats like the “Bitcoin Mining” scam.
