URL of Scam: sage-stone.com

Type of Scam: Cryptocurrency Scam
Amount Lost: $3,280.00

Victim Description:
The victim transferred funds via cryptocurrency to a scam platform called sage-stone.com. The transfer occurred within the last week, indicating this is a recent and possibly ongoing scam. The victim believed they were engaging in a legitimate transaction but ended up losing $3,280 due to the fraudulent activities of the site.

Cryptocurrency Address Used:

0x6Ca35BB5e88b2d1FF8fF818b530f62ee3A646dC8

Open-Source Intelligence Analysis: Key Details of sage-stone.com Scam

Scam Overview:
sage-stone.com appears to be a fraudulent platform designed to scam users by posing as a legitimate investment or service provider. The victim was convinced to send cryptocurrency to the platform, which then resulted in the loss of funds without any legitimate return or service provided.

Domain and Hosting Information:

Domain Name: sage-stone.com

Registrar: Alibaba Cloud Computing Ltd. d/b/a HiChina (www.net.cn)
Registration Details:Registered On: January 18, 2024
Expires On: January 18, 2025
Updated On: January 18, 2024
Status: ok
Name Servers:dns1.hichina.com
dns2.hichina.com

The domain was recently registered, which is common in many scam operations that frequently change names and online presences to evade detection and continue their fraudulent activities. The use of Alibaba Cloud Computing (HiChina) as a registrar indicates that the domain was registered using a reputable service, which scammers often use to lend an air of legitimacy to their operations.

Scammer’s Tactics:

Recent Domain Registration: The scam site was registered very recently, which is a typical tactic used by fraudsters to start a scam, exploit it, and then abandon the domain as soon as it is exposed.

Cryptocurrency Payments: The use of cryptocurrency to facilitate transactions is preferred by scammers due to the difficulty in tracing and reversing payments.
No Goods or Services Provided: The victim sent funds expecting some form of return or service, which was never provided.

Recommendations:
Cease Further Transactions: Immediately cease any further transactions with sage-stone.com and similar platforms.

Report the Incident: Report the scam to local authorities, cryptocurrency exchanges where the wallet is hosted, and online scam awareness websites to alert others of the fraudulent activities associated with this domain.
Blockchain Analysis: Utilize blockchain analysis tools to monitor the scammer’s wallet address and potentially trace where the funds are moved. This could help in identifying the scam network or other wallets associated with the scam.
File a Complaint with the Registrar: Contact Alibaba Cloud Computing Ltd. to report the fraudulent use of the domain and request an investigation. Although domain registrars have limited power in these situations, raising awareness can help.
Secure Your Wallet: Ensure your cryptocurrency wallets are secure, implement two-factor authentication, and be vigilant about any unauthorized activities.

Conclusion:
The victim’s experience with sage-stone.com is a typical example of a cryptocurrency scam where the fraudsters create a plausible but fraudulent platform to solicit funds from unsuspecting victims. After receiving the funds, the scammers cease communication or provide excuses, leading to financial loss for the victim. Given the nature of the scam and the use of cryptocurrency, recovering the lost funds may be challenging, but immediate action in reporting and monitoring can help mitigate further risks and alert potential victims.