Vanilla Drainer Scam Drains $5M in Three Weeks A Growing Threat
- Sammy Salmela
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Article with AI Analysis:
Date: 25 August 2025
Source: Cointelegraph via analytics from Darkbit, reported by Yohan Yun.
Introduction
In recent weeks, a new crypto scam known as Vanilla Drainer has quietly stolen over $5.27 million from victims. Sophisticated and ever-evolving, it’s shaking confidence in the digital finance ecosystem and reminding us how fragile our security can be.
How Vanilla Drainer Works
Drainer as a service: Vanilla Drainer sells scam software to fraudsters, often used in wallet-draining phishing schemes. It typically takes a 15–20 % cut of stolen funds.
Massive heist: On 5 August, a victim lost $3.09 million in stablecoins Vanilla’s operators earned about $463,000(~17 %).
Evasive tactics: To avoid detection, they constantly rotate domains and deploy new malicious smart contracts for each phishing site.
Conversion and hiding: Stolen funds are often converted into ETH or DAI (which cannot be frozen) and sent to a single "fee wallet" currently holding about $2.23 million.
The Growing Danger of Crypto Drainers
Draining scams hit nearly $500 million in stolen crypto in 2024, thanks to earlier services like Angel, Inferno and Pink. While overall draining continues to slow, Vanilla is gaining ground by exploiting new vulnerabilities.
Between mid-July and 5 August, Vanilla was linked to four separate scams, each resulting in six- or seven-figure losses, totalling $5.27 million.
History shows that drainer services rarely disappear they adapt, rebrand or pass tools to new operators. Inferno Drainer, for instance, resurfaced after announcing closure in 2023.
How to Protect Yourself From Draining Scams
Even though scammers are constantly adapting, there are practical steps every crypto user can take:
Never sign unknown transactions: If a wallet request seems unusual, decline immediately.
Use hardware wallets: They require physical confirmation, making phishing much harder.
Double-check domains: Always verify the website address before connecting a wallet.
Enable wallet security features: Use tools like spending limits or transaction previews where available.
Stay updated: Security tools evolve just as quickly as scams keeping software and extensions updated is critical.
Educate yourself: Awareness is the best defence. Knowing that services like Vanilla Drainer exist makes you less likely to fall for them.
AI-Powered Sentiment Analysis
Our AI analysis of this article revealed:
sentiment_score: -0.2 (slightly negative – reflecting concern and alarm)
Financial Sentiment: Negative (emphasising financial loss and vulnerability)
Polarity Score: -0.5 (leaning negative)
Subjectivity Score: 0.6 (moderately subjective – conveys emotional weight and concern)
These scores suggest that the article is emotionally weighted and carries a cautious, concerned tone. It captures the seriousness of financial loss, while underscoring a sense of urgency and human impact.
Read More
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Disclaimer
This article was generated using AI and reviewed for accuracy. The information presented is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Always consult with a professional before making investment decisions.
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