ZachXBT, a well-known on-chain investigator, claims that Monkey Drainer, a phishing scammer, has stolen over 700 ETH (equal to $700,000) worth of cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens in the last 24 hours, amounting to about $1 million.
How did the Monkey Drainer Scam?
According to ZachXBT, the two biggest victims, 0x02a and 0x626, lost a total of $370,000 after approving transactions on phishing websites controlled by the serial fraudster. A total amount of $150,000 worth of non-fungible tokens (NFT) were apparently lost by 0x02a, including 1 Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) collection, 1 CloneX, 36,000 USDC, and 12 additional NFT.
In the last few weeks, the suspected scammer has been successful in tricking several victims. The researcher claims that the amount of money stolen in the scam has exceeded $3.5 million and is continuing to rise.
Over 7,300 transactions have been performed by the hacker throughout his several months of operation.
APY, BMI, SHOPX, XED, and PMON, among other low-cap projects, were allegedly promoted by well-known crypto influencer Lark Davis before being dumped on the community's uninformed users, according to ZachXBT. He allegedly earned $1 million as a result.
Both of these victims were only a few of the numerous people who had their money taken by Monkey Drainer. According to a tweet from ZachXBT, more than $3.5 million has been stolen in total, and the figure is growing daily.
ZachXBT advised to the users to exercise "extreme caution" before linking their wallets to untrusted websites and signing transactions.
However, ZachXBT discovered a new phishing scheme in August when victims lost more than $2.5 million worth of NFTs. Five individuals associated with the BAYC collecting scheme were indicted in Paris earlier in October.
Phishing scams sometimes include criminals disseminating links to websites that pose as legitimate initiatives or businesses to trick users into divulging private information by promising a thrilling purchasing opportunity or a no-cost promotion.
The Monkey Drainer has been associated with four specific addresses, including the monkey-drainer.eth address.
Web3 Security Community Wallet Guard Responded
The blockchain-based Web3 security network Chainabuse now displays a lengthy series of reports about airdrop frauds, NFT scams, and phishing assaults when searching these addresses.
A handful of the reported cases are phony Aptos Airdrops, a false Wolf Game, Bored Ape Yacht Club marketplace, and airdrop frauds via the Astrobot Society discord channel.
ZachXBT's Twitter thread received a response from the Web3 security community Wallet Guard, which claimed to have "seen multiple additional mint sites recently constructed" with Monkey Drainer on the backend, including a bogus Garbage Friends whitelist link that led to a phishing website.
In the last few years, ZachXBT has established himself as a reputable independent blockchain investigator and exposed numerous instances of criminal activity in the industry.
Christophe Durand, the deputy head of France's national cyber unit, even acknowledged ZachXBT's efforts earlier this month for aiding authorities in locating five people accused of using phishing to steal NFTs valued at $2.5 million.
Conclusion
Even though 2022 has been a challenging year for the cryptocurrency market, phishing attempts continue to target cryptocurrency on social media. Phishing attacks rose from 106 to 290 in the second quarter, a 170% rise, according to blockchain analysis company CertiK.
The Coin Rise claimed that in a more recent event, hackers chose to target several FTX users and were successful in obtaining cryptocurrency worth $1.26. In previous incidents, hackers have taken control of Gate.io, an exchange platform's official Twitter account. The three biggest social media hubs for cryptocurrency frauds are now Discord, Telegram, and Twitter.
Recent times have been tumultuous for the crypto market. A lot of ups and downs have been witnessed as well. For example, the downfall of Terra and its assets occurred right before the globe, with all eyes on it. Various such instances have occurred that brings the plight of the crypto world into light such as losing pegs by UST, the issue of red notice against the founder Do Kwon by Interpol, etc. However, the problems do not seem to stop as new twists and turns keep rising in the case involving Do Kwon's arrest.
What is the new plot that emerged in the Do Kwon case?
A new dilemma has presented itself in the case involving the transfer of Bitcoin. As the reports suggested, a transfer of Bitcoin worth 69 million dollars has been discovered. This Bitcoin was transferred from that Luna Foundation guard to two crypto exchanges that are functioning outside the South Korean Territories. It has also been found that this transfer was done within a short span since the warrant was issued against Kwon.
What were the steps taken to correct it?
After the above-mentioned detail came to light, the South Korean entities took several steps to make it right. For example, they froze the Bitcoin that was transferred. After a thorough investigation it was also discovered that after the issue of the warrant on the 14th of September, the LFG made a wallet on the Binance platform, from who h the transfer took place. This transfer was done from LFG to two coin exchanges, namely Kucoin and OKX wallet.
The transaction that was done from LFG was not a one-time process but that occurred continuously for three days. The Kucoin wallet received almost as many as 1354 Bitcoin whereas the OKX wallet received almost 1959 Bitcoin which amounted to 39 million dollars.
How has the investigation been carried out?
With each passing moment and with each investigation, new information is coming to light that raises all the more questions and suspicion in the minds of people. However, the authorities have been delving deep into the matter and are leaving no stone unturned to get to the root of it all. The authorities involved in the investigation comprise Seoul Southern District Prosecutor’s Office and the Securities Crimes Joint Investigation Team.
After the investigation, they ordered both wallets to immediately freeze the assets they have received. The former agreed to the urges whereas the latter contested them by simply ignoring them.
Do Kwon and his involvement in the case
After the allegations that came to light and led to the arrest warrant, Do Kwon has reportedly commented that he was not hiding from the officials and that he was in constant communication with government officials. The huge transfer of money that was carried out from the LFG account just after the issue of the warrant, raised suspicion of that money being used as an evacuation fund.
It has been stated by the officials that whenever such an event occurs that involves sending and receiving money, it is most probably used for illicit activities or to cover up such activities.
Conclusion
Even though Kwon has denied any accusations that were brought against him, the government officials are still looking into the matter to bring the real truth to the public. It is the first and foremost priority to further the investigation necessary as well as put restrictions on the use of funds by Kwon. This step has been taken to put an end to all of the illegal activities done by Kwon, at least until the investigation is over.
Like many industries, the crypto industry is also not free from vices that affect its overall functioning and output. Therefore, certain checks and steps are necessary to prevent it from degrading to a higher extent. In the past few years, several such steps have been taken to keep the crypto industry in check. However, there have been various such instances wherein crypto mixers have also become a matter of concern.
In a recent report, the assistant secretary of the Treasury Department has said that putting sanctions on crypto miners can be of huge help. It can prevent the evil systems prevalent in it such as money laundering. It can spread across various countries such as North Korea, Russia, and Iran.
How can sanctions on cryptocurrency mixers be of help?
Elizabeth Rosenberg stated in a recent report that the enforcing of sanctions on entities such as crypto miners can be of huge help to the Government. It can be the best way to prevent foreign countries from making use of the crypto platform for various illegal activities. She, being the assistant secretary for terrorist financing and financial crimes came up with this suggestion as a preventive measure to make the digital currency platform a safer space for all.
Further comments on the crypto mixer sanction
There have been various steps taken towards the fulfillment of the above-mentioned goal. In one of the recent hearings of the Senate Banking, it has been quite vividly elaborated how the inclusion of various crypto mixers in the group of Specially designated nationals can work in favor of the US in letting foreign countries know the steps it is taking to prevent exploitation or breach of sanctions. These crypto mixers include blender.io, Tornado cash, etc. It is a step that has been deemed necessary to an extent that it has become almost mandatory.
Role of sanctions in preventing money laundering
It has been also been stated by Rosenberg that with the use of sanctions if prevention of usage of mixers for illicit activities can be encouraged, then it should and must be used likewise. It would be the best way to indicate or represent that the entity does not respond well to any sort of money laundering and prevent criminals from engaging in such activities. Does not matter which group or country they belong to, a criminal should be taken action against without any further consideration.
Some more information on the sanction on crypto mixers
Even though there have been several oppositions to this particular decision, it has still stood strong and held its ground. Its motive and aim have been questioned time and again for it, as per the views of the opposition, could bring about disastrous consequences. Several well-reputed entities like Coinbase even went as further as threatening to charge a lawsuit against the government authority for the step they have taken, especially for imposing sanctions on Tornado cash.
Conclusion
This particular government entity has directed its initiative towards those trying to use various Bitcoin assets and aimed at different Bitcoin addresses. These addresses included groups from Russia as well as Iran. However, it later made it clear that the Treasury does not aim at putting any sort of regulations on users which would affect the sharing of Tornado Cash's code on different websites. This declaration was made by the treasury in between the unrest and lack of clarity that is prevalent among crypto users for some time now. Needless to say, the crypto market being volatile is susceptible to changes that may or may not be accepted by each and everyone associated with it or affected by it.
The emergence of the crypto industry has led to a need for it in today's world which many firms have realized over time. It has generated a huge demand for the various cryptocurrencies with many companies coming forward to adopt them and integrate them into their operations. However, there is still a need for more awareness and the need to explore it more. It needs to be propagated or advertised in a way that it gets accepted by larger communities. Various organizations have come up with various ways that can help with crypto mining.
One such initiative has been taken by Maple Finance who very recently launched a lending pool worth three hundred million dollars that could assist firms in the mining of Bitcoin.
An in-depth analysis of the initiative taken by Maple Finance
It is imperative for each and everyone who is associated with the crypto industry to learn about its development and the changes being introduced in it, continuously to make informed decisions. It helps to be on top of things and be updated with the recent news and updates. Therefore, it is important to not only know what is going on in the market but to get to its roots. This article endeavors to do the same and provide readers with a detailed analysis of how the new initiative is going to help Bitcoin mining firms.
In an announcement made by Maple Finance as well as Icebreaker Finance, they would be extending a three hundred million dollars funding to all the private as well as public companies that are engaged in Bitcoin mining. Those industries can apply for funds that have the eligibility standards to meet treasury management as well as power strategies standard that are situated all over North America.
What is there in store for investors and allocators?
They also have provision made for those who invest in it. They have planned low-risk returns for the investors as well as the allocators, i.e. to almost as low as 13% per annum. However, there are certain guidelines that an investor must follow to be able to invest in it. First of all, an investor first needs to be accredited and be eligible enough by meeting the standard of income or having the appropriate net worth within the limits of jurisdiction.
More about the loans
It has also been mentioned by those at Maple Finance that the loans that are already existing in the lending pool would stay there for almost twelve to eighteen months and shall have a rate of interest of almost 20%. There are also some provisions made for the securing of the loans which are to be done by taking any physical or intellectual asset of the borrower.
However, it has also been mentioned by the authorities at Maple Finance that miners are important to the cause of any cryptocurrency and therefore provisions should be made to facilitate it. With this vision in mind, Maple Finance has rolled out a new finance system to assist and advertise Bitcoin mining further.
Conclusion
Various surveys and records have also found that Maple Finance constitutes the largest share in the crypto lending market. With such provisions in place, it is needless to say that, the crypto industry would be benefited in numerous ways and shall soon see a rise in its growth. The crypto market being highly volatile has been a risk that many are unwilling to take. However, with the right initiative in place and with the right steps taken, the whole scenario can change for the better.
Crypto-analyst Arthur Hayes says Hong Kong has a vital part to play in the development of the global Bitcoin and other virtual currencies market. The next cryptocurrency bull run, according to the former CEO of BitMEX, a market leader in cryptocurrency futures, will begin when China enters the market again.
The Hong Kong government's announcement about introducing a bill to regulate crypto is a sign that China is trying to ease its way back into the market. This could be because Hong Kong acts as "the proxy through which China interacts with the world," according to former Bitcoin co-creator Sean Hayes.
He commented, “When China loves crypto, the bull market will come back and It will be a slow process, but the red shoots are budding.”
As per Hayes, Hong Kong might serve as Beijing's test market for its experiments with cryptocurrency markets and as a conduit for Chinese capital entering the international cryptocurrency markets:
Further, he stated, “If these flows actually materialize in the way I imagine, they will be a strong supporting pillar of the next bull market.”
In a survey by Forex Suggest released in July 2022, Hong Kong has named the nation best poised for the broad adoption of cryptocurrencies. Numerous aspects were taken into account, including startup culture, crypto ATM installations, and crypto-friendly regulations.
Unfortunately, it is said that by the end of September this year, Hong Kong has lost this position partly because of its murky cryptocurrency regulations. Due to this, a number of significant crypto-focused companies and events were obliged to relocate their operations to Singapore and other nations and territories that were viewed as more welcoming.
Despite having one of the largest economies on earth, China has generally been hostile to the cryptocurrency sector. The nation's initial ban, which forbade banks from processing Bitcoin transaction, was enacted back in 2013.
When Beijing conducted numerous regulatory operations to banish Bitcoin mining from the nation and declared all cryptocurrency transactions to be banned in 2021, it stepped up its crackdown on the industry.
But as per Hayes, “China has not left crypto — it has just been dormant.”
In September 2022, China did start up its Bitcoin mining once more, and Chainalysis stated in its 2022 Global Crypto Adoption Index that China had re-entered the top ten this year after coming in 13th place in the previous year.
Given the Chinese government's assault on cryptocurrencies, the Global Crypto Adoption Index's authors said they considered the development "particularly noteworthy," but their data shows that "the prohibition has either been unsuccessful or lightly implemented."
How China is essential for Hong Kong's cryptocurrency growth?
Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMex, commented on news of Hong Kong's "comeback" efforts on his blog, saying that access to Chinese consumers is essential for Hong Kong's appeal to cryptocurrency businesses.
As cryptocurrency investors, we are concerned about Hong Kong's capacity to meet China's capital needs, he stated. The regular wealthy Chinese people are what drive the Hong Kong economy, whether it is through retail sales or capital flows.
He also voiced concerns about how China could use its influence over Hong Kong to undermine any pro-crypto measures such as, "What's to say Beijing won't reconsider tomorrow and roll back all these advantageous crypto policies?"
But he went on to say that he thought this time, "China is for real."
Conclusion
By the end of the month, the nation is anticipated to make its position on digital assets known. As previously reported, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China will make a policy announcement at the next Hong Kong Fintech Week event, which is set to take place between October 31 and November 1.
