Malicious crypto app Angel Drainer shut down after creators deanonymized
The program’s developers have been implicated in attacks on 35 000 users, with $25 million in damage
![Malicious crypto app Angel Drainer shut down after creators deanonymized](https://storage.getblock.net/source/1/p4ZV4HrmSS-7ySB9v4zRcq_1JldNG6YZ.webp)
17.07.2024 - 12:40
228
2 min
0
What’s new? Phishing crypto app Angel Drainer has stopped working after analysts at blockchain company Match Systems said they had identified its developers. Previously, security experts Blockaid linked Angel Drainer to phishing attacks on 35 000 crypto users, with total damage of over $25 million.
What else is known? On July 16, Match Systems announced in its X-account that it had made progress in deanonymizing Angel Drainer participants, and encouraged victims to provide any information they have to help advance the investigation. Hours later, Match Systems, citing Angel Drainer’s Telegram channel, said the app had been suspended.
Angel Drainer is a malicious drainer program. Such programs allow scammers to withdraw cryptocurrency from victims’ wallets, fraudulently forcing them to confirm transactions. The developers of such programs themselves also receive a share of the stolen cryptocurrencies.
Angel Drainer has become at least the third such program to cease operations since the beginning of the year. On May 17, the Pink Drainer team, which was involved in the theft of $85 million worth of cryptocurrencies, announced its closure. On April 25, Blockaid experts reported the closure of Violet Drainer. The developer of the latter complained about the complication of working conditions: Ethereum wallets have improved the system of protection against fraud and notification of users about suspected attacks.
Earlier, the FBI said that in 2023 the volume of investment crypto fraud increased by 53%.
In March, an unidentified person lost over $717 000 in a phishing attack using the fake website Blast, one of the largest Layer 2 (L2) networks based on the Ethereum blockchain.
In April, phishing ads were discovered on blockchain explorer Etherscan’s website. Analysts speculated that the reason for the large-scale phishing campaign was the lack of oversight by ad aggregators.
Useful material?
Incidents
The company placed $2б4 billion in bonds maturing in 2026, but their value has fallen dramatically since the entrepreneur’s arrest
Aug 30, 2024
Incidents
In both cases, depending on the outcome of the investigations, the messenger could be blocked
Aug 29, 2024
Market
The project will offer a decentralized alternative to traditional banking services
Aug 29, 2024
Trends
Within a week of its launch, the platform managed to overtake its main competitor, Pump.fun on the Solana network
Aug 28, 2024
Incidents
Officials are looking into P2P communications in the messenger for illegal activities
Aug 27, 2024
Incidents
Telegram creator was detained at Paris airport for refusing to cooperate with the authorities and poor moderation of the messenger
Aug 26, 2024