URL of Scam: h5.akbcoin.com

Type of Scam: Cryptocurrency Investment Scam via WhatsApp Groups
Calculated Amount Lost: $75,985.00

Victim Description:
The victim was lured into the scam through WhatsApp crypto investment groups that utilized the website akbcoin.com to attract investors. These groups provided fake signals, guiding the victim to invest in crypto. The entire system was a scam designed to manipulate victims into sending money to the platform. After investing, the victim was presented with a fabricated SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) scheme to hold the funds hostage. The scam used fake accounts to make it appear that there were multiple investors involved, creating an illusion of legitimacy.

Cryptocurrency Addresses Used:

0xd954dB6Df5ABa61A0237CB18eEC8471E24ED5991
1asT8mktUaMeSskPEfb7bre4yMqxU8NQa (multiple instances)
0x3da7f1421bb47e1e28b00beb2164d6ab0837fb4e

Open-Source Intelligence Analysis: Key Details of h5.akbcoin.com Scam

Scam Overview:

This scam primarily targeted victims through social media, particularly WhatsApp groups, where the perpetrators posed as experienced cryptocurrency traders offering lucrative investment opportunities. The scammers used akbcoin.com to guide investors to fake trading platforms and provided fake signals to encourage deposits. Once victims deposited funds, the scammers fabricated a scenario involving a non-existent SEC issue to ransom the funds, creating a sense of urgency and manipulation.

Domain Information for akbcoin.com (Details for Investigation):

Registrar: DropCatch.com 1400 LLC
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited (prevents domain transfer, typical of scams to maintain control over the website)
Registration Dates:Registered On: May 24, 2024
Expires On: May 24, 2025
Updated On: May 25, 2024
Name Servers:nsg1.namebrightdns.com, nsg2.namebrightdns.com

Scammer’s Tactics:

Fake Crypto Signals: The scam used WhatsApp groups to provide fake investment signals, giving the illusion of success and encouraging victims to deposit money.
Ransom Scheme: Once the victim deposited funds, the scam was escalated with a fabricated SEC ransom scheme, holding the funds hostage under false pretenses.
Fake Accounts: The scammers created fake accounts to give the impression that other investors were involved, enhancing the credibility of the scam.

Recommendations for Recovery:
Report the Scam:
Victims should report the incident to their local law enforcement and financial regulators. Additionally, they should report the scam to relevant organizations like the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and consumer protection services to help prevent further exploitation.
Blockchain Tracking:
The victim should utilize blockchain analysis tools to track the movement of their funds. Services such as Chainalysis or Blockchair can assist in identifying whether the funds have been moved to other wallets or exchanged.
Withdrawal Attempts:
The victim should document any attempts to withdraw funds or any communication with the scammers. Any exchanges or wallet services involved should be informed about the scam to flag suspicious activity.
Strengthen Security:
The victim should review and secure all personal accounts, especially email and wallet accounts. This includes changing passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and scanning for any unauthorized access.
Public Awareness:
The victim should consider posting on cryptocurrency forums, social media platforms, and relevant online communities to raise awareness of the scam and potentially help others avoid the same fate.
Legal Counsel:
Seeking legal counsel may help the victim explore possible avenues for recovery or legal action against the perpetrators, especially if they can be identified.

Conclusion:
The scam on h5.akbcoin.com leveraged social media and WhatsApp groups to convince victims to invest in cryptocurrency through fraudulent signals and fake schemes. The victim lost $75,985 USD to this scam, which involved fake accounts, fabricated SEC schemes, and promises of high returns. Recovery of the funds is challenging, but tracking the blockchain transactions and reporting the scam to authorities are critical next steps. Public awareness and caution are essential to prevent future victims from falling into similar traps.