“Apple Crypto Giveaway” pop-up scam Malware Removal

by Brendan Smith
September 14, 2023

“Apple Crypto Giveaway” scam employs deceptive tactics to lure unsuspecting users and swindle money. It often spreads through misleading advertisements or phishing emails.

“Apple Crypto Giveaway” scam falsely claims affiliation with Apple and promises cryptocurrency rewards in exchange for personal information or cryptocurrency deposits. This scam preys on trust and urgency, urging users to act quickly. Caution is advised to avoid falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.

“Apple Crypto Giveaway” pop-up scam Overview

pop-up scam notification

Screen of scam notification

Name “Apple Crypto Giveaway”
Threat Type Phishing, Pop-up Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Detection “Apple Crypto Giveaway” pop-up Scam
Related Domains cryptapple[.]com, apple23event[.]com
Crypto Wallets Belonging To Scammers 1jwBAdHUSHwy9bxkrdgMwi43KdcYEhYLA (BTC),
0x21257Ab0450E07f82908Fb244BaACC7F2df756d5 (ETH)
Symptoms Fake error messages, fake system warnings, pop-up errors, hoax computer scan.
Distribution methods Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications.
Similar Behavior “Virus Has Been Detected On Your Device”, “Your Account Is Successfully Debited”, “Your Windows 10 is infected with viruses”, “Your computer is disabled. Please call Microsoft”
Damage Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections.

How does “Apple Crypto Giveaway” scam work?

The scam operates through a deceptive webpage that masquerades as an official Apple announcement celebrating the launch of the new iPhone 15 Pro & Pro Max, boasting the A17 Pro chip. It falsely claims to initiate a 5,000 Bitcoin (BTC) airdrop as a token of appreciation to the Apple community.

Users are prompted to participate by clicking links leading to the purported “official” BTC airdrop portal, promising free BTC and ETH. Notably, it asserts that participation is open to all, including individuals in the United States, and that all wallets and exchanges qualify.

However, the fraudulent page is designed to dupe users. It pretends to be an authentic Apple initiative but intends to trick users into disclosing personal information or taking actions that benefit the scammers.

How serious is this?

Adware is typically responsible for the recurring occurrence of this pop-up, as it disseminates misleading notifications. This scammers orchestrating giveaway scams often demand “processing fees” or convince victims to send cryptocurrency or money to claim their supposed rewards, funneling these funds directly into the scammer’s coffers. Additionally, they may endeavor to gather personal information, such as login credentials or credit card details, from their victims.

Another deceptive webpage is currently running a counterfeit Apple giveaway (refer to the screenshot below). It pledges participants the opportunity to win substantial sums of cryptocurrency, specifically 50,000 ETH and 5,000 BTC. It asserts that by sending a specified quantity of cryptocurrency to a provided address, participants will receive double that amount in return.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

My computer is infected with “Apple Crypto Giveaway” pop-up malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?
Reformatting your storage device should only be considered as a last resort for removing Apple Crypto Giveaway malware. Prior to taking such drastic action, it is advisable to perform a comprehensive scan using trustworthy antivirus or
What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?
Malware poses a significant risk to the security and privacy of sensitive information, potentially leading to identity theft, financial loss, and unauthorized access to personal accounts. Furthermore, it can disrupt the normal operation of a system, causing performance issues, system crashes, and data corruption.
What is the purpose of “Apple Crypto Giveaway” pop-up?
The purpose of Apple Crypto Giveaway is to enable remote access and control of compromised devices. It allows threat actors to perform various malicious activities, such as unauthorized access, data theft, system manipulation, and disabling security measures, potentially causing significant harm to individuals and organizations.
Will Gridinsoft Anti-Malware protect me from malware?
Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that sophisticated malware can remain hidden deep within the system. Consequently, conducting a complete system scan is imperative to detect and eradicate malware.

About the author

Brendan Smith

Cybersecurity analyst covering malware families, suspicious files, and detection alerts. Brendan focuses on clear explanations of what a warning means, when it may be a false positive, and which cleanup steps are appropriate.

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