Pink Drainer Shuts Down After $75M Crypto Theft, Attacking 20K Victims

Coingapestaff
May 17, 2024
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Pink Drainer Shuts Down After $75M Crypto Theft, Attacking 20K Victims

Highlights

  • Pink Drainer is finally shutting down after attacking numerous crypto holders since its inception.
  • The developers of this notorious platform have announced their retirement after draining $75 million worth of crypto funds.
  • Over 19,800 victims were affected by Pink Drainer's phishing scheme.

The creators behind Pink Drainer, a wallet draining service implicated in the theft of millions of dollars worth of assets, have announced the termination of their operations. Pink Drainer is shutting down after accumulating $75 million worth of stolen crypto funds and attacking nearly 20,000 victims.

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Pink Drainer Shuts Down

“We have reached our goal and now, according to plan, it’s time to for us to retire,” the developers said in a Telegram announcement, as first noted by on-chain sleuth ZachXBT. The developers added, “After this message’s publication, we will begin winding down all of our infrastructure. All stored information will be wiped and securely destroyed.”

According to data from ScamSniffer, Pink Drainer has been associated with the theft of $75.64 million in cryptocurrency from 19,810 victims over the past year. Earlier, in March, a phishing email scam linked to the Pink Drainer kit targeted creditors of bankrupt crypto companies, resulting in thefts amounting to at least $5 million.

Since inception, Pink Drainer provided a software toolkit that cybercriminals employed to pilfer crypto assets by exploiting technical weaknesses. Moreover, the strategy was harnessed with a heavy reliance on social engineering and phishing tactics. These schemes utilized deceptive phishing websites to dupe users into authorizing transactions that emptied their wallets of cryptocurrencies and NFTs.

In addition, Pink Drainer was part of a larger ecosystem of phishing-as-a-service operations, which also included platforms like Monkey Drainer and Inferno Drainer. Moreover, the operators of these services profited by charging fees and taking a share of the stolen assets.

Also Read: Flash Loan Attack Drains $2M from Solana-Based Pump Fun

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About Latest Block tower Hack

BlockTower, a prominent cryptocurrency hedge fund, recently experienced a significant security breach where fraudsters managed to siphon off part of its assets under management. Insiders disclosed the incident but declined to provide further details due to its sensitive nature. According to PitchBook, BlockTower oversees over $1.7 billion in assets.

At present, the hacker remains at large, and BlockTower has yet to recover the stolen funds. However, the firm has engaged blockchain forensics experts to investigate the theft. Additionally, BlockTower has alerted all key partners about the breach, as reported by Bloomberg. However, the hedge fund has not yet issued an official statement on the matter.

Moreover, the market has seen a surge in crypto hacking incidents recently. The infamous Lazarus Group from North Korea has been implicated in many of these attacks, often utilizing crypto-mixing services like Tornado Cash to obscure their tracks. Just last week, a scammer made off with over $71 million worth of Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) coins, only to return the funds shortly thereafter.

Also Read: Bybit Lacks Approval for Digital Asset Services in France, AMF Warns

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Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

About Author
About Author
CoinGape comprises an experienced team of native content writers and editors working round the clock to cover news globally and present news as a fact rather than an opinion. CoinGape writers and reporters contributed to this article.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.