Whiterock Founder Ildar Ilham Arrested in $30M ZKasino Exit Scam – Here’s the Full Story
- Who Is Ildar Ilham, and Why Was He Arrested?
- How Did ZachXBT Uncover the Whiterock-ZKasino Link?
- Is Whiterock Itself a Scam?
- What’s Next for the ZKasino Victims?
- FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
The crypto world is buzzing after Ildar Ilham, founder of Whiterock, was nabbed by UAE authorities for his alleged role in the $30M ZKasino exit scam. The Dutch are next in line to prosecute him, while victims cheer. This isn’t just another rug pull—it’s a saga of fake partnerships, laundered funds, and an investigator who connected the dots using blockchain breadcrumbs. Buckle up; this one’s messy.
Who Is Ildar Ilham, and Why Was He Arrested?
Ildar Ilham, the brains behind WhiteRock (a project already under scrutiny), was arrested in the UAE after an Interpol Red Notice flagged his involvement in the ZKasino scandal. The Dutch authorities confirmed his pending extradition to face criminal charges. ZKasino, marketed as a decentralized gambling platform, raised over $30M in presale funds last year but delivered nothing—classic exit scam vibes. The BTCC team notes that Ilham’s arrest follows the April 2024 capture of Elham Nourzai, another key figure tied to the scheme. Nourzai’s release coincidentally saw stolen funds start moving across ZkSync, Starknet, Ethereum, and Solana. Suspicious? You bet.
How Did ZachXBT Uncover the Whiterock-ZKasino Link?
Crypto sleuth ZachXBT didn’t need a magnifying glass—just blockchain analytics. He traced stolen ZKasino "bounty" funds to a Whiterock marketing wallet, which had clear transactional ties to Ilham. Even juicier? Between February and March 2025, ZKasino funds were funneled through instant exchanges, with Whiterock wallets receiving matching amounts via Monero (XMR). "Anon teams, fake partnerships, and side wallets funded by instant exchanges? Major red flags," ZachXBT tweeted. The smoking gun? An influencer paid via Whiterock’s wallet, which also transacted with ZKasino’s stolen loot. Oops.
Is Whiterock Itself a Scam?
Whiterock hasn’t rugged yet, but ZachXBT’s findings suggest it’s a ticking time bomb. The project emerged late last year with anonymous devs, fabricated partnerships, and wallets funded by shady instant-exchange transfers. "Given Ilham’s history with ZKasino, Whiterock’s collapse seems inevitable," the BTCC team warns. Crypto exchanges like MEXC and Gate.io are now under pressure to delist Whiterock’s token and scrutinize its team. Pro tip: If a project’s biggest cheerleader is an exit scammer, maybe swipe left.
What’s Next for the ZKasino Victims?
Victims, who flooded ZachXBT’s tweet with applause for the arrest, aren’t holding their breath for refunds. The laundered funds—spread across multiple chains—are likely gone for good. But Ilham’s extradition sets a precedent: crypto scammers can run, but they can’t hide from blockchain forensics. Meanwhile, Dutch prosecutors are sharpening their knives. As one victim commented, "Karma’s a blockchain—immutable and brutal."
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
What was Ildar Ilham’s role in ZKasino?
Ilham allegedly orchestrated parts of the $30M exit scam, with on-chain evidence linking him to laundered funds.
How did ZachXBT connect Whiterock to ZKasino?
Through transactional trails between Whiterock’s marketing wallets and stolen ZKasino bounty funds.
Is Whiterock still operational?
Technically yes, but exchanges are urged to delist it pending further investigation.
