URL of Scam: lbanppy.vip

Type of Scam: Pig Butchering Cryptocurrency Investment Scam
Amount Lost: $123

Victim Description:

The victim was contacted by a woman on WhatsApp, claiming that she had accidentally messaged them. They developed a friendship and had multiple video calls. Eventually, the woman introduced the victim to a cryptocurrency investment platform called Lbank. Initially skeptical, the victim was convinced to invest and saw some initial profits. However, when attempting to withdraw the funds, the victim was asked to pay a tax fee. The woman insisted on paying, but when the victim requested help, the woman changed her number and avoided further contact, indicating that the scam was part of a larger “pig butchering” operation.

Cryptocurrency Address Used:

0x959774b8732382c70D58Ff472D480C6feBb258E0

Open-Source Intelligence Analysis: Key Details of lbanppy.vip Scam

Scam Overview:
The scam began with a social engineering tactic where the victim was contacted by a woman on WhatsApp who claimed to have accidentally sent a message. After building a rapport, the victim was introduced to a fake cryptocurrency platform, Lbank, where they were encouraged to invest. The victim initially saw profits but was unable to withdraw funds when requested, as they were asked to pay a “tax” before doing so. When the victim reached out for help, the woman stopped responding, and the scam escalated with other individuals posing as lawyers. This is indicative of a “pig butchering” scam, where the fraudsters manipulate the victim emotionally and financially over time.

Domain Information:

Domain Name: lbanppy.vip
Registrar: Gname.com Pte. Ltd.
Registered On: February 23, 2024
Expires On: February 23, 2025
Updated On: February 28, 2024
Status: clientTransferProhibited
Name Servers:b.share-dns.net
a.share-dns.com

The domain lbanppy.vip was registered in February 2024, suggesting that the scam is relatively recent. The use of “clientTransferProhibited” status indicates that the domain’s transfer has been restricted to prevent the victims from tracking the owners or moving the domain to another registrar.

Recommendations:
Report the Scam: The victim should file a report with local authorities and online fraud reporting platforms like the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), or file a complaint with the financial institutions involved in the transaction.

Trace the Cryptocurrency Transactions: The victim can attempt to trace the cryptocurrency transactions via blockchain explorers to potentially identify where the funds were sent.

Stop Communication with Fraudsters: The victim should cease all contact with the woman and any other individuals involved in the scam. Further engagement could lead to additional manipulation.

Consult Legal Experts: If the victim has additional information about the scammers (like phone numbers or other identifiers), consulting with a legal expert who specializes in online fraud and cryptocurrency scams may help in legal action or potential recovery.

Secure Remaining Assets: If the victim has any remaining funds in cryptocurrency wallets or exchanges, they should immediately move them to a secure wallet with strong security protocols (e.g., two-factor authentication, hardware wallet).

Warn Others: The victim can share their experience on online forums and social media to help others avoid falling for similar scams. Fraudsters often target many victims in the same way.

Conclusion:
The lbanppy.vip scam is a typical example of a “pig butchering” cryptocurrency scam. The victim was manipulated over time by a scammer posing as a friend and convinced to invest in a fake platform. When the victim attempted to withdraw their funds, they were tricked into paying additional fees and taxes. After the scammer stopped responding and switched phone numbers, the victim realized they were part of a larger fraud operation.

• Introduction In recent months, countless unsuspecting investors have fallen victim to crypto investment scams, with many lured into schemes that promise high returns but deliver only financial loss. One such scheme operated through the site [http://www.lbanppy.vip], which left its investors with empty wallets and shattered trust. This article investigates how this fraudulent scheme operated, detailing the tactics it used to attract victims, exploit their trust, and block any efforts to recover lost funds.
• Tactics Exploiting Investor Trust
  Fraudulent sites like Lbanppy.vip use a calculated mix of professional-looking interfaces, false promises, and misleading claims to appear legitimate. The site’s operators used the following deceptive tactics:
• Misleading Associations with Reputable Institutions: Fraudulent crypto platforms often claim ties to reputable financial or investment institutions to appear credible. These associations are often nothing more than text on a page with no actual proof. By mentioning well-known names in finance, scammers create a veneer of reliability that misleads investors.
  Promises of High Returns: The lure of high returns is a hallmark of crypto scams.
• Lbanppy.vip presented various investment tiers, each promising significant and unrealistic profits. However, the reality is that legitimate investments, especially in cryptocurrency, do not guarantee high returns without associated risks. This promise alone should raise suspicion, as high returns with zero risk rarely, if ever, exist in genuine investments.
• Professional-Looking Interface: Lbanppy.vip featured a visually appealing, professional interface to create a sense of security and credibility. This tactic is powerful because it plays on investors’ assumptions that polished design and complex language equate to legitimacy. Fraudulent sites go to great lengths to ensure their platforms look as convincing as possible, despite being mere fronts for theft.
• Manipulative Tactics and Withdrawal Blocks
  Lbanppy.vip went further than just creating a convincing platform—it employed several manipulative tactics to keep users invested:
• Social Media Advertising: The scam targeted victims through ads on social media platforms, especially Facebook and Instagram, where investment opportunities are frequently advertised. These ads appealed to beginner investors, offering high profits with minimal risk.
• Redirecting Users to Telegram: One of the major red flags is the use of social media channels like Telegram for support. Rather than offering official contact methods (like a company email or phone number), Lbanppy.vip funneled users to Telegram, where communication can easily be manipulated and lack accountability. Scammers use this platform to limit transparency and control communication.
• Blocking Withdrawals: Victims report that when they attempted to withdraw funds, they were met with various obstacles. The scammers often required users to recruit other investors or contribute additional funds to “unlock” their withdrawals. This is a typical move in Ponzi-style schemes, where money from new recruits is used to pay earlier investors, maintaining the illusion of profitability until the scam collapses.
• Evidence of Suspicious Activity
  To understand how Lbanppy.vip funneled investors’ money away, investigators looked at wallet activity linked to the site:
• Receiving Wallet Addresses: The wallet addresses associated with Lbanppy.vip, such as 0x959774b8732382c70D58Ff472D480C6feBb258E0 , have shown unusual activity. Specifically, these wallets received funds from multiple accounts in quick succession—a pattern often seen in scams, where funds are quickly moved to reduce traceability.
• Suspicious Transactional Patterns: The wallet received 118.643 USDT, among other small but frequent transactions, which could indicate efforts to accumulate funds rapidly from different sources and then transfer them to other locations. This tactic is common in crypto scams, as it disperses funds across several wallets to avoid detection and make recovery difficult.
• Domain Analysis of Lbanppy.vip
  The domain [http://www.lbanppy.vip] has characteristics commonly associated with scam sites:
• Recent Registration Date: Scams frequently operate on newly registered domains, staying live for only a short time before shutting down or changing names. This domain, registered shortly before April 2024, has minimal historical data, which is suspicious.
• Minimal Online Authority: A legitimate investment platform would have a notable online presence, including reviews, social media profiles, and search engine authority. However, Lbanppy.vip lacks these markers, with no verifiable online reputation.
• Use of Infrastructure to Mask Location: The domain is registered through services that obfuscate its true hosting location. These services often protect operators by concealing their identities and the actual location of the site’s servers, further complicating investigation and accountability.
• Advice for Avoiding Crypto Scams
  Crypto scams, like the one perpetrated by Lbanppy.vip, are unfortunately becoming increasingly sophisticated. Here are essential tips to help potential investors recognize and avoid fraudulent schemes:
• Verify Associations: Do not trust a platform just because it claims to be affiliated with well-known institutions. Look for official announcements or corroborating information directly from the reputable source.
• Beware of High Returns with Low Risk: Investments promising substantial returns with no risk should be viewed skeptically. Legitimate investments always involve some risk, and too-good-to-be-true offers are often scams.
• Avoid Platforms That Use Social Media for Customer Support: Legitimate financial institutions provide verified contact information and do not rely on untraceable platforms like Telegram for support. Scams often use these platforms to control communication and limit accountability.
• Check Domain Age and Reputation: Investigate the domain’s registration date and online reputation. Recently registered domains with no reputable online presence are red flags.
• Stay Alert for Withdrawal Roadblocks: Scammers often prevent withdrawals to trap funds. If a platform asks you to recruit others or invest more to withdraw your money, it is likely fraudulent.
  Conclusion
  Scams like Lbanppy.vip prey on investors’ trust, exploiting their desire for profitable investments in the booming crypto space. By creating polished sites, claiming associations with legitimate institutions, and making lofty promises, these scammers pull in unsuspecting investors and disappear with their funds.
• Remaining vigilant and conducting thorough research before committing to any investment platform is essential to avoid becoming a victim of these crypto scams. Understanding red flags, such as the use of untraceable support channels and exaggerated profit claims, can help investors protect their assets from similar fraudulent schemes.