The Zkasino $30 million fraud case has witnessed a surprise twist, with Ildar Ilham, founder of WhiteRock Finance, arrested in the UAE. Blockchain sleuth ZachXBT exposed Ilham’s ties to a $30 million scam. Ilham now faces extradition to the Netherlands for criminal charges.
ZKasino’s Founder Arrested in UAE
Ildar Ilham, alias Prometheus, was apprehended by UAE authorities today. The 21-year-old Norwegian orchestrated the notorious Zkasino exit scam. Zkasino, a blockchain gambling platform, raised $30 million in presales in 2024. Instead of launching, the team diverted funds to Lido’s staking protocol, betraying investors. Ilham’s arrest marks a major step in addressing this massive crypto fraud.
The Zkasino scam promised a decentralized gambling platform but failed to deliver. Investors were lured by a “Bridge-to-Earn” campaign, which locked up Ethereum. On April 20, 2024, the project’s terms were abruptly changed, blocking fund returns. Ilham, alongside Elham Nourzai and Lior Ben Zakan, allegedly fled to the Middle East. The scam left over 10,000 victims worldwide reeling from losses.
WhiteRock Finance, Ilham’s latest venture, raised red flags for ZachXBT. The project operated anonymously, claiming fake partnerships with major firms like BlackRock. Funds from Zkasino’s stolen treasury were traced to WhiteRock’s marketing wallet. These funds paid influencers to promote the dubious platform. ZachXBT’s revelations linked Ilham directly to both scams.
Ilham’s extradition to the Netherlands is now imminent for trial. Dutch authorities previously arrested Nourzai in April 2024, seizing $13.43 million in assets.
Tracking Ilham and Extradition
ZachXBT’s on-chain analysis, like in many other cases, was key to tracking Ilham’s illicit activities. He traced Zkasino’s stolen funds through complex laundering across ZkSync, Starknet, and Solana. A leaked email, goedel014@gmail.com, tied WhiteRock’s deployer wallet to Ilham’s Chess.com account, “IldarTheGrandMaster.” Funds moved through Monero bridges, but ZachXBT’s sleuthing exposed the trail. This evidence led UAE authorities to Ilham’s doorstep.
Authorities are now focusing on recovering the $30 million in stolen digital assets. International task forces are collaborating to trace remaining funds. Exchanges may delist WHITE to curb further damage. Investors are advised to verify the project’s transparency. The case underscores the need for stronger crypto regulations.
