Inferno Drainer, a notorious crypto wallet-draining service, has announced its permanent shutdown, leaving a trail of nearly $70 million in stolen cryptocurrency facilitated by phishing scams this year.
End of the Line for Inferno Drainer
In a Telegram post on Nov. 26, the Inferno Drainer team declared that it's "time to move on." While the tool's files and infrastructure will persist, allowing users a "smooth transition" to alternative services, the team emphasized that they won't actively maintain it.
"It has been a long ride with all of you, and we'd like to thank you from the heart. Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever," the post stated. The team expressed gratitude to collaborators and hoped to be remembered as the best drainer in existence, aiding users in their pursuit of financial gains.
Notable Figures and Controversy
Since its emergence earlier this year, Inferno Drainer, following the closure of Monkey Drainer, gained notoriety. Similar to its counterparts, it provided crypto wallet-draining software, taking a 20% cut of the loot stolen by users.
According to Web3 anti-scam platform Scam Sniffer, Inferno Drainer pilfered almost $70 million from over 100,000 victims since February. The team, however, claimed the amount exceeded $80 million.
Legacy and Warnings
In a move to distance itself from potential legal repercussions, the Inferno Drainer team deleted its affiliate Telegram account, "mr_inferno_drainer," and cautioned users against trusting any future drainers using its name.
CertiK, a blockchain security firm, labeled Inferno Drainer as "one of the most damaging phishing kits to the community." Despite its exit, CertiK pointed out the presence of other active providers, including rivals like Pink Drainer and the recently updated Angel Drainer, which now supports draining wallets on additional blockchains.
Lingering Presence in the Crypto Underworld
While Monkey Drainer, another high-profile crypto drainer, closed its operations in March, citing a move toward something better, the crypto community remains vigilant as new threats may emerge in the ever-evolving landscape.
The closure of Inferno Drainer marks a significant event in the crypto space, shedding light on the ongoing battle against malicious actors. However, the continued presence of active providers and the potential for emerging threats highlight the need for sustained vigilance within the community.