Whiterock Founder Ildar Ilham Arrested in UAE Over Alleged $30M ZKasino Exit Scam – What You Need to Know
- Who is Ildar Ilham, and Why Was He Arrested?
- ZKasino’s Scam: A Masterclass in Deception
- Why Whiterock’s Days Might Be Numbered
- The Crypto Community Reacts
- 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 $30 million ZKasino exit scam. Dutch officials are now prepping for his extradition. This isn’t just another rug pull—it’s a saga of fake partnerships, washed funds, and a trail of angry investors. Dive into the on-chain sleuthing that exposed the scheme, why Whiterock’s ties raise red flags, and how exchanges like BTCC are reacting. Buckle up; this one’s messy. ---
Who is Ildar Ilham, and Why Was He Arrested?
Ildar Ilham, aka @xbt_prometheus, wasn’t just a random crypto bro—he was the face of Whiterock, a project that popped up late last year with more red flags than a bullfight. On July 3, 2025, UAE authorities slapped cuffs on him after ZachXBT (the crypto community’s favorite detective) dropped a bombshell thread linking Ilham to ZKasino’s $30 million exit scam. The Dutch are next in line to prosecute him, and given how ZKasino’s funds mysteriously vanished into Ethereum, Solana, and zksync last April, they’ve got plenty to work with.
ZKasino’s Scam: A Masterclass in Deception
ZKasino pitched itself as a decentralized gambling platform but turned out to be a classic “take the money and run” operation. Investors forked over $30+ million in presale funds, only to watch the team ghost them. When ZachXBT traced the loot, he found Whiterock’s marketing wallet had been topped up with ZKasino’s stolen ETH. Smooth move, right? Even sketchier: funds were laundered through instant exchanges like ChangeNOW, with Monero (XMR) acting as the getaway car.
Why Whiterock’s Days Might Be Numbered
Whiterock hasn’t rug-pulled yet, but let’s be real—its ties to ZKasino are like a neon “EXIT SCAM” sign. Anonymous team? Check. Fake partnerships? Double-check. ZachXBT’s investigation revealed Whiterock’s wallets were funded by the same shady exchanges that processed ZKasino’s dirty money. Pro tip: When a project’s “marketing strategy” involves laundering stolen funds, it’s time to GTFO. Exchanges like BTCC and Gate.io are already under pressure to delist $WHITE.
The Crypto Community Reacts
Investors aren’t just mad—they’re roasting Ilham in ZachXBT’s comment section. One user joked, “Dude tried to outrun Interpol with Monero and still got caught.” Meanwhile, Dutch authorities are probably high-fiving after nabbing Elham Nourzai (another ZKasino conspirator) last April. Nourzai walked free, but the stolen funds started bouncing across blockchains faster than a ping-pong ball.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
What’s the connection between Whiterock and ZKasino?
ZachXBT traced on-chain transactions linking Whiterock’s marketing wallet to ZKasino’s stolen funds. A personal email address tied to both projects was the smoking gun.
Could Whiterock pull a rug pull soon?
It hasn’t happened yet, but with Ilham’s arrest and the project’s history, the BTCC team advises extreme caution. Always DYOR—especially when a project’s “team” is ghostlier than a Halloween costume.
How are exchanges responding?
Mexc and Gate.io are reviewing $WHITE listings. BTCC analysts suggest tightening due diligence for projects with anonymous teams.
