Crypto Phishing App Angel Drainer Returns, 300+ Malicious dApps Deployed in 4 Days

According to a recent report from Blockaid, the infamous phishing toolkit known as Angel Drainer has reappeared under a new name – AngelX

Concerning news arises as AngelX swiftly released more than 300 harmful decentralized apps (dApps) in merely four days since its debut

AngelX’s Advanced Features

As a researcher, I am excited to announce the launch of AngelX on August 31, marking a substantial improvement from its previous version. In a recent communication with Cointelegraph, Blockaid unveiled that our latest iteration, AngelX, is designed to cater to users on contemporary and comparatively less secure blockchain networks, such as The Open Network (TON) and Tron. These platforms are perceived as more susceptible due to their freshly established security infrastructures, making them attractive targets for phishing attempts

By enhancing AngelX’s user-friendly interface and control panel, it simplifies the process for scammers to design and distribute personalized malicious decentralized applications (dApps). This upgrade enables more successful phishing tactics to be employed across multiple blockchain networks, posing challenges in identifying and counteracting these malicious activities

High Evasion Rate and Increased Scams

One troubling characteristic of AngelX is its significant ability to elude detection. Numerous malicious decentralized applications (dApps) created with AngelX have skillfully slipped past other security measures, making it challenging for cybersecurity experts to locate and halt these harmful activities. According to Blockaid, approximately 150 new scams connected to AngelX have been identified since its launch

Blockaid asserts that it successfully safeguarded around $400,000 worth of assets from theft during AngelX’s initial phase, thanks to their prompt detection. This underscores the importance of constant watchfulness and enhanced security strategies to counteract advanced phishing scams

Previous Shutdown of Angel Drainer

Previously developed by anonymous creators, Angel Drainer reportedly ceased operation on July 16, following speculation about their identities. This earlier version of Angel Drainer had allegedly been associated with over $25 million worth of cryptocurrency thefts. The shutdown was widely regarded as a significant triumph in the ongoing battle against cyber phishing scams

For several months, Match Systems found numerous issues reported by users in Angel Drainer’s Telegram channel, suggesting that their phishing toolkit was experiencing more and more instability. It was rumored that the developers might have shut down operations to avoid additional scrutiny. However, recent activity from Angel Drainer contradicts this assumption

🚨 Update: Angel Drainer has suspended operations! 🚨

Two hours following our expose on the unmasking of Angel Drainer group members, their Telegram channel announced that the Drainer operation had been temporarily shut down

We continue to accumulate data and work to identify the remaining identities…

— Match Systems (@MatchSystems) July 16, 2024

August Phishing Scam Surge

At present, there’s a revival of Angel Drainer, coinciding with an alarming surge in the number of phishing scams. As reported by ScamSniffer, a staggering $63 million was swindled away due to phishing attacks last August, which represents a 215% jump from July’s figures. Notably, one particular incident resulted in the loss of an astounding $55 million, as an unsuspecting user unwittingly approved a transaction that shifted a substantial amount of MakerDAO’s DAI to a phishing address

The unexpected return of Angel Drainer as AngelX highlights the persistent threat of phishing scams and the continuous evolution of these malicious tools. As phishing tactics become more sophisticated, both users and security professionals must remain vigilant to protect against these evolving threats.

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2024-09-05 11:45