The dark web has seen a rise in listings for nominal accounts to operate on crypto exchanges. The service is actively used by Russians, reports Kommersant.
According to experts, the number of new postings for sale of ready-made and verified wallets on various trading platforms has doubled since the start of 2022. By December, their number reached 400 units.
On average, the login and password for an account cost about $50. For credentials with a QR code for two-factor authentication, plus the full package of documents with which the account was registered, by mail and cookie files, the buyer will pay on average $300.
Experts note that the price depends on the country of registration, the registration date (the older the account, the higher the price) and the history of activity. Typically, the starter package includes login data, backup access, online telephony requisites for receiving SMS, and the nominal’s passport.
Among the most active buyers of the service:
- Russians with blocked exchange accounts;
- the criminal segment.
Due to the rising number of hacks on exchanges and the use of centralized exchanges (CEX) as “an excellent means to launder dirty assets”.
Theoretically, buyers of such services could face liability under anti-money-laundering provisions, but with many caveats and accompanying actions. In particular, if there is a transfer of assets from a crypto exchange to a bank account.
The mere purchase of another person’s account does not constitute a violation or crime, since it is not property unlike cryptocurrencies, experts add. Given this, they remind about the obligation to pay personal income tax on transactions with digital assets.
Alongside this, the sale of nominal accounts is fraught with risks. The segment is full of scammers; moreover, a drop could potentially file a report to the exchange alleging theft of account data.
Earlier, experts noted that on the dark web there has been an increase in offers to forge documents to pass Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures at financial institutions.
As reported, after the Bank of Russia banned currency operations in March 2022, underground exchangers quickly emerged in the country, offering to buy and sell dollars and euros via cryptocurrencies.
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