Scam Name: Imgur.com Fraudulent XRP Transactions
Calculated Amount Lost: ~$1,200 USD
Scam Platform: Imgur.com
Scam Address: C9A47EC100ACE4642F00A34FEE753FDB483145B4C74C506783754F0FCBEDS9AE (XRP Wallet)

Victim Description:

The victim reported losing approximately $1,200 USD through Imgur.com, which was exploited by scammers to facilitate XRP-related fraudulent activities. The scammers convinced the victim to transfer XRP to the address C9A47EC100ACE4642F00A34FEE753FDB483145B4C74C506783754F0FCBEDS9AE with false promises. No returns or communication followed, confirming the scam.

Cryptocurrency Address Involved:

XRP Wallet Address: C9A47EC100ACE4642F00A34FEE753FDB483145B4C74C506783754F0FCBEDS9AE
Tracking this wallet may help uncover additional fraudulent transactions or victims connected to this scam.

Domain Information:

Domain: imgur.com
Registrar: Amazon Registrar, Inc.
Registered On: January 9, 2009
Expires On: January 9, 2028
Updated On: May 30, 2024

Name Servers:

ns-1198.awsdns-21.org
ns-1677.awsdns-17.co.uk
ns-457.awsdns-57.com
ns-577.awsdns-08.net

Registrant Contact:

Name: On behalf of imgur.com owner
Organization: Identity Protection Service
Street: PO Box 786
City: Hayes
State: Middlesex
Postal Code: UB3 9TR
Country: United Kingdom (GB)
Phone: +44.1483307527
Fax: +44.1483304031

Conclusion

The victim lost approximately $1,200 USD in XRP to scammers who exploited Imgur.com to promote fraudulent schemes. Funds sent to the XRP wallet C9A47EC100ACE4642F00A34FEE753FDB483145B4C74C506783754F0FCBEDS9AE are irrecoverable, with no services or returns provided.

Deribiti.vip Fake Crypto Trading Scam

Calculated Amount Lost: ~$1,600 USD
Scam URL: deribiti.vip
Scam Address: 1H5BJ5iePFNhBQhd86XEXQ5CSKWrqV1Tkm (Bitcoin Address)

Victim Description:

The victim reported losing approximately $1,600 USD to Deribiti.vip, a fraudulent crypto trading platform. The scammers promised lucrative trading returns, luring victims into transferring funds to the Bitcoin wallet 1H5BJ5iePFNhBQhd86XEXQ5CSKWrqV1Tkm . After the funds were transferred, no returns or services were provided, and communication ceased, confirming the scam.

Cryptocurrency address involved:

Bitcoin Address: 1H5BJ5iePFNhBQhd86XEXQ5CSKWrqV1Tkm

Tracking this wallet may uncover additional fraudulent transactions or victims connected to this scam.

Domain Information:

Domain: deribiti.vip
Registrar: Gname.com Pte. Ltd.
Registered On: December 12, 2024
Expires On: December 12, 2025
Updated On: December 12, 2024

Name Servers:

b.share-dns.net
a.share-dns.com

Registrant Contact:

Organization: Patil Amara
State: Delhi
Country: India (IN)

Deribiti.vip Conclusion

The victim lost approximately $1,600 USD to the fraudulent platform Deribiti.vip, which falsely claimed to offer profitable crypto trading opportunities. Funds sent to the Bitcoin wallet 1H5BJ5iePFNhBQhd86XEXQ5CSKWrqV1Tkm are irrecoverable, with no returns or services provided.

Beware of Crypto-Crest.com: A Costly Cryptocurrency Scam

Cryptocurrency investments promise lucrative returns, but scammers often prey on unsuspecting individuals, as evidenced by the distressing case involving the website crypto-crest.com. A victim reported losing $15,681 after being lured into a seemingly legitimate cryptocurrency trading scheme orchestrated by a hacker posing as their Facebook friend.

The Hook: Trust Exploited

The scam began when a hacker gained access to the victim’s Facebook friend’s account, using it to post fake trading certifications and success stories about helping families profit from cryptocurrency. These posts gave the impression of legitimacy, leveraging the trust the victim had in their friend. Encouraged by the posts and subsequent direct conversations, the victim believed they were engaging in a credible investment opportunity.

The Trap: Fake Profits and Increasing Demands

After initial interactions, the victim was directed to register on a professional-looking website, crypto-crest.com, which appeared to show their investment growing significantly over time. However, this was part of the scam’s strategy to build confidence. When it was time to withdraw the profits, the site demanded payment of a “crypto VAT tax” and an “insurance fee,” claiming these were mandatory for transactions exceeding a certain threshold.

The victim, eager to access their growing profits, complied with these requests and transferred additional funds. Once the payments were made, the scammers vanished, and the Facebook account they used was deleted.

As Per Investigation: Traces Found

Our investigation revealed six traces of the stolen funds being cashed out through Bybit, a well-known cryptocurrency exchange platform. While these traces do not guarantee recovery, they highlight how scammers utilize reputable exchanges to launder illicit funds. It is imperative for exchanges to tighten their anti-money laundering (AML) protocols and cooperate with authorities to address such fraudulent activities.

Red Flags to Note

• Unsolicited Offers: The initial contact came through social media, with exaggerated claims of wealth and success in cryptocurrency trading.
• Pressure to Act Quickly: The scammers pushed the victim to register and invest, playing on emotions and fear of missing out.
• Unverified Website: Though the site appeared legitimate, it lacked verifiable credentials or regulatory oversight.
• Additional Fees: Legitimate investment platforms rarely demand upfront taxes or fees for withdrawals.
• Disappearing Act: After the final payment, the scammers deleted the hacked Facebook account, leaving no trace.

Domain Information: A Shady Setup

A quick look at the domain details of crypto-crest.com raises several red flags:

• The domain was registered on May 21, 2024, making it relatively new.
• The registrant’s details are hidden using a privacy protection service, a common tactic to avoid accountability.
• The website’s ownership is registered under Privacy Protect, LLC, based in Burlington, Massachusetts, a red flag for transparency concerns.

Final Thoughts

Crypto-crest.com is a stark reminder of how sophisticated online scams have become, leveraging fake identities and polished websites to ensnare victims. While the allure of high returns can be tempting, it’s essential to remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited offers, especially in the volatile world of cryptocurrency. The traces identified at Bybit provide a glimmer of hope for accountability but also emphasize the need for heightened security across the industry.