FTX Creditors Targeted in New Fraudulent Airdrop Scheme
FTX creditors are once again facing fraudulent activities, this time through a fake airdrop scheme. Sunil Kavuri, a well-known FTX creditor advocate, issued a warning on September 24 about phishing emails targeting community members. These emails exploit information stolen in the Kroll data breach.
The phishing emails claim that FTX creditors are eligible for an “ASTER” token distribution and provide a link to what appears to be a claims portal. ASTER is the native token of a popular DEX platform linked to Binance founder Changpeng Zhao. The project is currently distributing 8.8% of its token allocation to community members. However, Kavuri has confirmed that the claims website is fraudulent and designed to steal funds from wallets.
Kavuri advised creditors to verify announcements only through trusted Telegram and X channels. He emphasized that legitimate projects offering airdrops to FTX creditors will do so through reputable sources.
This latest scam adds to a series of phishing attacks that have targeted FTX creditors following the collapse of the exchange. These fraudulent activities tend to escalate when the failed trading platform is close to repaying creditors. The frustration over these repeated attacks has led to legal action, with FTX creditors filing a lawsuit against Kroll for mishandling sensitive information and leaving them vulnerable to cybercrime.
Resurrection of SBF X Account
Amidst the ongoing fraud incidents, the X account of Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of FTX, was reactivated. On September 24, Bankman-Fried’s X account posted a simple “gm” message, sparking speculation about his communication from prison. However, a subsequent post clarified that a friend was now controlling the account and posting on behalf of Bankman-Fried.
The resurrected X account now includes a mailing address for prisoner correspondence, indicating that replies to letters may be received through the account. The address is labeled as ‘monitored,’ suggesting that all letters will be scrutinized by authorities before reaching Bankman-Fried. This caution may serve as a warning for correspondents to avoid sending anything incriminating to the address. Bankman-Fried, who pleaded ‘not guilty’ to fraud charges, is currently serving a 25-year sentence and is actively seeking to appeal his conviction.
As FTX creditors navigate through these challenges, staying vigilant against fraudulent activities and seeking legal recourse remains crucial in protecting their interests and assets.