How to Deal With the “Solana L2 Presale” Scam

Cybercriminals continue to exploit the growing popularity of cryptocurrency by launching sophisticated scams aimed at deceiving unsuspecting investors. One such scheme currently making the rounds is the “Solana L2 Presale” scam, a phishing scam masquerading as a legitimate presale event for Solana’s Layer 2 technology.

It is crucial to understand that this scam is not affiliated in any way with the actual Solana blockchain (solana.com) or any verified crypto project. The fraud is designed solely to steal users’ cryptocurrency wallet credentials, leading to irreversible monetary loss.

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Threat Summary

Threat Detail	Description
Name	“Solana L2 Presale” Scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Crypto Fraud
Disguise	Fake Solana Layer 2 Presale Event
Detected Domain(s)	dashboard-solaxy.pages[.]dev
Serving IP Address	172.66.47.73
Detection Names	CyRadar (Phishing), Emsisoft (Phishing), Netcraft (Malicious), Webroot (Malicious), Trustwave (Phishing)
Associated Emails	None reported
Symptoms of Infection	Sudden wallet drainage, unauthorized transactions, inability to access funds
Damage	Total cryptocurrency loss
Distribution Methods	Social media spam, rogue pop-up ads, PUPs, compromised websites
Danger Level	Critical – leads to immediate and unrecoverable financial loss

What Is the “Solana L2 Presale” Scam?

Discovered by cybersecurity researchers while investigating suspicious web activity, the “Solana L2 Presale” scam was found being promoted via the domain dashboard-solaxy.pages[.]dev, although it may be hosted on other malicious domains as well.

Once on the site, users are prompted to connect their cryptocurrency wallets—a process that mimics a legitimate blockchain interaction. However, instead of securely connecting through decentralized protocols, users are unknowingly handing over their wallet login credentials directly to scammers.

This gives the attackers full access to the victims’ wallets, enabling them to transfer all funds, often within seconds. Given the untraceable nature of most crypto transactions, the funds cannot be recovered, making the scam extremely damaging.

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Why It’s So Dangerous

This phishing scheme taps into the allure of early access to promising crypto projects. By impersonating a “Layer 2” Solana expansion—a term that is likely to attract seasoned and new investors alike—the scam is able to convincingly trick victims into acting quickly, especially under the guise of limited-time availability.

Because the website copies elements commonly found in real presale platforms, many users fail to spot the deception. Once access credentials are entered, there’s no undoing the damage. Victims are left without their funds, and since cryptocurrency transactions are generally non-reversible, the assets are gone for good.

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A Word of Caution

The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has warned that since the start of 2021, over 46,000 people have lost more than $1 billion to crypto-related scams—making it one of the most damaging types of fraud in the digital age.

The “Solana L2 Presale” scam is a textbook example of such a fraud. With fake credibility, deceptive design, and high-stakes consequences, it’s a stark reminder to always double-check URLs, avoid connecting wallets to unknown sources, and never enter private keys or recovery phrases outside of trusted applications.

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Dealign with Crypto Scams – Method 1: Manual Removal Guide

Follow these steps to manually remove crypto scams and protect your system.

Step 1: Identify the Crypto Scam Source

• Check if you’ve been contacted by a scammer through email, Telegram, Discord, WhatsApp, or social media.
• Identify any malicious software installed on your system, such as fake wallet apps or browser extensions.
• Scan your browser history and emails for phishing links.

Step 2: Report and Freeze Crypto Transactions (If Possible)

• Contact your crypto exchange immediately if you suspect fraud.
• Check if your transaction is pending (some blockchains allow canceling or replacing a transaction).
• Report the scam to authorities such as:
  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
  • U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Step 3: Remove Malicious Software and Fake Wallet Apps

1. Windows Users:
   • Open Control Panel > Programs and Features
   • Look for unknown apps related to crypto wallets or trading bots.
   • Click Uninstall.
2. Mac Users:
   • Open Finder > Applications
   • Locate suspicious apps and drag them to the Trash.
3. On Mobile (Android & iOS):
   • Go to Settings > Apps (Android) or General > iPhone Storage (iOS).
   • Uninstall any unrecognized crypto wallet apps.

Step 4: Clear Browser Data and Remove Malicious Extensions

1. Google Chrome:
   • Go to chrome://extensions/
   • Remove unfamiliar or suspicious extensions.
2. Firefox, Edge, Safari:
   • Open settings and remove unauthorized extensions.
3. Clear Cache & Cookies:
   • Open browser settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data

Step 5: Reset Passwords & Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

• Change passwords for your crypto exchanges, wallets, and emails.
• Use a strong, unique password for each account.
• Enable 2FA on all critical accounts (Google Authenticator or YubiKey recommended).

Step 6: Scan for Malware and Keyloggers

Even if you removed software manually, some malware can still lurk in your system. Use a security tool to perform a deep scan (see SpyHunter method below for an automatic removal process).

Step 7: Monitor Your Accounts & Funds

• Track your crypto wallet transactions using Etherscan or Blockchain Explorer.
• Keep an eye on email login alerts from suspicious locations.
• Use a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor) for better security.

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Method 2: Automatic Removal Using SpyHunter

For a fast and reliable way to remove crypto scam-related malware, use SpyHunter.

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Run the SpyHunter setup file.
2. Follow the on-screen installation steps.
3. Open SpyHunter once installed.

Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan

1. Click on "Start Scan Now" to analyze your system.
2. Wait for the scan to detect crypto scam malware, spyware, keyloggers, and phishing trojans.

Step 4: Remove Threats Automatically

1. Click "Fix Threats" after the scan completes.
2. SpyHunter will eliminate malware, fake apps, and browser hijackers.

Step 5: Protect Your System from Future Crypto Scams

• Enable SpyHunter's Real-Time Protection to block phishing sites and prevent future infections.
• Regularly scan your system for new threats.

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Prevention Tips: How to Avoid Crypto Scams in the Future

• Always verify website URLs before logging into exchanges or wallets.
• Avoid unsolicited investment offers on Telegram, Discord, and email.
• Never share your private keys or recovery phrases with anyone.
• Use a hardware wallet instead of online wallets.
• Regularly update your antivirus and anti-malware software.
• Be skeptical of high-return crypto investment schemes.

Conclusion

The “Solana L2 Presale” scam is not just another crypto scam—it’s a highly targeted phishing attempt aimed at compromising wallet security and stealing funds instantly. It relies on social engineering tactics to build trust and exploit the lack of technical scrutiny among users eager to jump on new blockchain opportunities.

Stay alert, stay skeptical, and remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.