Scam Name: Zaif (Zabitif.com) Cryptocurrency Scam

Calculated Amount Lost: $13,079
Scam URL: zabitif.com

Victim Description:
The victim, Charles, attempted to acquire cryptocurrency assets through Zaif, a platform accessed via the URL zabitif.com. Charles made a wire transfer to Coinbase in order to fund his account and trade cryptocurrency. However, when he tried to withdraw his funds, he was informed that he would need to pay taxes within two weeks in order to proceed with the withdrawal. Subsequently, his account was frozen, and he was unable to access or withdraw his funds.

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Scam Tactics:
Fake Cryptocurrency Trading Platform:
Charles made a wire transfer to Coinbase to fund his trading account with Zaif. The scam likely involved convincing him to deposit funds with the promise of high returns or trading opportunities.
Withdrawal Block:
Once Charles attempted to withdraw his funds, the platform falsely claimed he would need to pay taxes. This is a common tactic used in cryptocurrency scams to delay withdrawals and convince victims to pay additional fees.
Frozen Account:
The scam culminated in Charles’ account being frozen, rendering him unable to access his initial deposit or any supposed profits. This is a typical red flag in many fraudulent trading platforms.
Cryptocurrency Payment:
The scam used the following cryptocurrency addresses to receive funds from the victim:

• 0xF9ca55C560e3C9F28Bd5b374bcef30eD9f215cAF
• 0xeD6B9399b751Dc51EA1c097e2339937dbe3b4f94

Tracking these addresses using a blockchain explorer may help uncover further details of the scam and reveal whether other victims were targeted.

Cryptocurrency Addresses Involved:
0xF9ca55C560e3C9F28Bd5b374bcef30eD9f215cAF
0xeD6B9399b751Dc51EA1c097e2339937dbe3b4f94
Using a blockchain explorer can provide additional insights into the movement of funds associated with these addresses, potentially identifying related scams or other victims.

Domain Information:
The domain zabitif.com was registered on April 24, 2024, and is set to expire on April 24, 2025. The domain is still active, indicating that the fraudulent operation may still be ongoing.

Domain: zabitif.com
Registrar: Tucows Domains Inc.
Registered On: April 24, 2024
Expires On: April 24, 2025
Updated On: November 13, 2024
Status: ok
Name Servers:ns15.abovedomains.com
ns16.abovedomains.com
Scam Overview:
Zaif or zabitif.com is a fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platform that convinced the victim, Charles, to wire money via Coinbase for trading purposes. The platform eventually blocked his withdrawal request, claiming that taxes needed to be paid before funds could be released, which is a common tactic used in cryptocurrency scams. After Charles was unable to access his funds, he became a victim of this scam.

Recommendations:
Report the Scam:
The victim should report the incident to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). This can assist authorities in tracking the scam and preventing further fraud.
Track Blockchain Transactions:
Charles can track the cryptocurrency addresses used by the scammers through a blockchain explorer to identify the movement of his funds and potentially trace other scam victims.
Consult Legal Professionals:
Given the significant financial loss, Charles may benefit from consulting a legal professional who specializes in cryptocurrency fraud. Though recovery can be difficult, a legal expert may provide guidance on the next steps.
Avoid Further Communication with Scammers:
Charles should block and stop communicating with any representatives of Zaif or related entities to prevent further manipulation or financial loss.
Monitor Financial Accounts:
Charles should closely monitor his cryptocurrency wallets and bank accounts for any unusual activity or further attempts by the scammers to access his funds.
Raise Awareness:
Charles should consider sharing his experience on scam-reporting forums and platforms such as Scamwatch, Reddit, or Trustpilot to warn others about the fraudulent activities of Zaif and zabitif.com.

Conclusion:
The victim, Charles, lost $13,079 USD to the scam operated by Zaif via zabitif.com. After depositing funds into his account, Charles was unable to withdraw his money, and the scammers claimed he needed to pay taxes to access his funds. Charles should report the incident, track the cryptocurrency addresses involved, and consult with legal professionals for potential recovery options.