New Scam Targeting FTX Creditors
Recent developments in the aftermath of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange’s downfall have unveiled a new scam targeting its creditors. These individuals are now facing a fraudulent airdrop scheme, as highlighted by Sunil Kavuri, a prominent advocate for FTX creditors. On September 24, Kavuri raised alarms about phishing attacks that exploit personal data leaked during the Kroll data breach to deceive unwitting victims.
Phishing Scheme Details
Kavuri provided evidence of these scams by sharing a screenshot of a phishing email that falsely claimed creditors could receive a distribution of “ASTER” tokens. The email encouraged recipients to link their cryptocurrency wallets to a seemingly legitimate claims portal. The ASTER token is linked to an emerging decentralized exchange (DEX) platform, associated with the well-known Binance founder, Changpeng Zhao, and currently distributing 8.8% of its token supply to the community. However, Kavuri was quick to expose the scheme as a scam designed to empty victims’ wallets.
He emphasized the importance of verifying communications through reliable channels, urging creditors to rely exclusively on official Telegram and X accounts.
“Only trustworthy sources will have information regarding airdrops aimed at FTX creditors,”
Kavuri affirmed.
Broader Pattern of Phishing Schemes
This incident is part of a broader pattern of phishing schemes that have intensified since the collapse of FTX, particularly as the failed exchange nears a repayment plan for creditors. The ongoing cyber threats have prompted escalated concern among creditors, leading to legal action. Recently, a group of FTX creditors initiated a lawsuit against Kroll, accusing the firm of negligence in handling sensitive information, which they claim has exacerbated their financial losses.
Sam Bankman-Fried’s Resurfaced Account
In a separate but related event, the X social media account of Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of FTX, has resurfaced. On the same day as Kavuri’s warning, the account posted a simple greeting that ignited speculation about whether Bankman-Fried, who is currently incarcerated for his role in one of the largest fraud cases in the crypto industry, was capable of communicating from prison. However, this speculation was swiftly quashed when a subsequent post clarified that a friend is managing the account on Bankman-Fried’s behalf.
The account now includes a mailing address for him, tagged as ‘monitored,’ suggesting that all correspondences will be scrutinized by prison authorities. This raises the question of whether individuals writing to the imprisoned founder should be cautious about the contents of their messages, especially since Bankman-Fried has pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges against him. He is presently serving a 25-year sentence while seeking to appeal his conviction.
