Fake Flare Network Website Stole $8.5 Million Worth of XRP

cryptonews.ruPublished on 2026-07-30Last updated on 2026-07-30

Abstract

A fake staking website, impersonating Flare Network and FXRP, stole approximately 3.4 million XRP (worth around $8.5 million USD) from 71 investors over eight days in October last year. The fraudulent site lured victims by promising guaranteed principal and monthly returns of 1.5% to 1.8%. It tricked investors into withdrawing their XRP from local exchanges and sending it to wallets controlled by the scammers via offshore platforms. The site was shut down on October 23, and its operators vanished. Seoul police tracked assets worth 27.3 billion won ($18.8 million) linked to the scam, freezing 17.3 billion won. Two individuals involved have been handed over to prosecutors on aggravated fraud charges, and another is under investigation for document forgery. Police executed 54 search and seizure warrants and arrested a suspect who had returned from hiding abroad. South Korean authorities have declared a zero-tolerance policy for cryptocurrency fraud this year, warning investors to verify official sources before sending funds as part of heightened vigilance against such scams.

In October of last year, a fake staking website, operational for eight days, stole 3.4 million $XRP from 71 investors. This amount is equivalent to 8.5 million US dollars. Seoul police stated that this fraudulent operation deceived investors by posing as Flare Network and FXRP. The fake website promised investors monthly returns of 1.5% to 1.8%, while also claiming the principal was guaranteed.

Details of the Fraud

The fraudulent operation involved tricking investors into withdrawing their $XRP from local exchanges and transferring them to wallets controlled by the fraudsters via offshore platforms. The website was shut down on October 23, and its operators disappeared. Police reported that the scammers spread disinformation on platforms such as blogs, online news articles, and Wikipedia, and also created videos using a paid lookalike on YouTube.

Police Investigation and its Results

Seoul police tracked assets totaling 27.3 billion won ($18.8 million) related to the fraud and froze 17.3 billion won. Two individuals involved in the fraud were handed over to prosecutors on charges of aggravated fraud. Furthermore, another person is under investigation on charges of document forgery related to the fraud. The police issued 54 search and seizure warrants in connection with the fraud and arrested one suspect who had returned from abroad and was in hiding.

South Korean police this year announced a policy of zero tolerance for cryptocurrency fraud and warned investors to check official sources before sending funds. This is seen as part of heightened vigilance and measures to combat cryptocurrency fraud in South Korea.

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Related Questions

QWhat was the amount of XRP stolen by the fake staking website posing as Flare Network, and what is its US dollar equivalent?

AThe fake website stole 3.4 million XRP from investors, which is equivalent to 8.5 million US dollars.

QWhat specific promises did the fraudulent Flare Network website make to attract investors?

AThe fraudulent website promised investors a monthly yield of 1.5% to 1.8% while claiming that the principal amount was guaranteed.

QHow did the Seoul police track and respond to the assets linked to this cryptocurrency fraud case?

AThe Seoul police traced assets totaling 27.3 billion won (18.8 million dollars) linked to the fraud and froze 17.3 billion won of those assets.

QWhat was the outcome of the police investigation regarding the individuals involved in the scam?

ATwo individuals involved in the fraud were indicted on charges of aggravated fraud and handed over to the prosecution. Another person is under investigation for forgery in relation to the scam, and one suspect was arrested after returning from abroad.

QAccording to the article, what actions are South Korean authorities taking to combat cryptocurrency fraud?

ASouth Korean police have announced a zero-tolerance policy towards cryptocurrency fraud this year and warned investors to verify official sources before sending funds, as part of heightened vigilance and anti-fraud measures.

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1.3k Total ViewsPublished 2024.04.01Updated 2024.12.03

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