ALTCRYPT - AI risk analysis

beta

AI risk analysis - ALTCRYPT (2025-04-29 17:35:42)

Below is a comprehensive analysis of Altcrypt (https://altcrypt.cc/) based on the requested criteria, including online complaints, risk assessment, website security, WHOIS lookup, IP and hosting, social media presence, red flags, regulatory status, user precautions, and potential brand confusion. The analysis draws on available web information, critical evaluation, and patterns observed in the data.

1. Online Complaint Information ¶

Trustpilot and Other Review Platforms: Altcrypt.cc has garnered significant negative feedback across platforms like Trustpilot, Scamdoc, and Reddit. Users report experiences indicating potential scams:
Multiple reviewers describe being cold-called by individuals claiming to represent Altcrypt or associated entities (e.g., Starwiz Consulting, InfinityPlus), promising recovery of funds lost in prior scams. These claims often involve requests for upfront payments (e.g., $100–$1500 for “insurance,” “conversion fees,” or “smart contracts”) to access alleged funds.
Complaints highlight persistent and aggressive communication, with callers refusing to answer questions or providing vague explanations. For example, one user reported being asked to pay $1500 for a Trezor wallet “insurance” or a “smart contract,” with no clear justification.
Several users note that Altcrypt’s website displays inflated account balances (e.g., $66,000) to lure victims into paying fees to “release” funds, a common tactic in advance-fee scams.
Reports of funds being non-withdrawable, with additional fees demanded for “investigations” or “licensing,” are prevalent. One user lost $350,000 and described Altcrypt as unresponsive to withdrawal requests.
Reddit Discussions: On r/CryptoScamBlacklist, users label Altcrypt.cc as a scam, citing experiences with entities like InfinityPlus.cc and Starwiz.io, which appear to operate in tandem. Users report receiving unsolicited emails with login credentials, raising suspicions of phishing attempts.
Average Trust Score: Scamdoc reports a trust score of 2.4/5 based on 24 reviews, and Scamadviser assigns a very low trust score, indicating a high likelihood of fraudulent activity. Conclusion: The volume and consistency of complaints, particularly around advance-fee demands and non-delivered funds, strongly suggest that Altcrypt.cc engages in deceptive practices, likely operating as a recovery scam targeting victims of prior frauds.

2. Risk Level Assessment ¶

Scam Detector Score: Altcrypt.cc receives a medium risk score (35/100) from Scam Detector, indicating caution due to factors like proximity to suspicious websites and a risky domain extension (.cc). Scores above 30 in malware or spam categories raise concerns.
Scamadviser Evaluation: Scamadviser flags Altcrypt.cc as a high-risk site due to its low trust score, lack of verifiable ownership, and association with complaints.
User-Reported Risks: The requirement to pay upfront fees in cryptocurrency, coupled with unverifiable claims of recovered funds, aligns with high-risk scam patterns. The use of remote access software to guide users through transactions further increases the risk of data theft or financial loss.
Proximity to Suspicious Websites: A “Proximity to Suspicious Websites” score above 80 (per Scam Detector) suggests Altcrypt.cc may share infrastructure or tactics with known fraudulent sites. Risk Level: High. The combination of user complaints, low trust scores, and scam-like tactics (e.g., advance fees, unverifiable claims) indicates significant risk for users engaging with Altcrypt.cc.

3. Website Security Tools ¶

HTTPS/SSL: Altcrypt.cc uses a valid HTTPS connection with an SSL certificate, encrypting data between the user and the site. This is a standard security feature but does not guarantee legitimacy, as many scam sites also use HTTPS.
Google Safe Browsing: The site is not currently flagged by Google Safe Browsing, but this only indicates no active malware or phishing at the time of the last scan, not overall trustworthiness.
WOT (Web of Trust): WOT assigns an unknown or low trustworthiness score, reflecting user distrust and limited positive feedback.
Bot Blocking: The site blocks important web crawlers and bots, which may obscure transparency and hinder independent analysis of its content.
Broken Links: Users report non-functional links on the site, such as those for “Terms and Conditions,” “Privacy Policy,” or password recovery, which is a red flag for unprofessional or deceptive operations. Conclusion: While Altcrypt.cc employs basic security measures like HTTPS, the presence of broken links, bot blocking, and low trust scores from security tools suggest a lack of transparency and potential for deceptive practices.

4. WHOIS Lookup ¶

Domain Details:
Domain Name: altcrypt.cc
Registrar: Sarek Oy (Finland)
Creation Date: September 29, 2020
Updated= Updated Date: November 27, 2020
Expiry Date: September 29, 2021 (Note: The WHOIS data from 2021 is outdated; the domain remains active as of 2025, indicating renewal)
Name Servers: dina.ns.cloudflare.com, ridge.ns.cloudflare.com
Registrar Contact: abuse@sarek.fi, +358931577910
DNSSEC: Unsigned
Analysis:
The domain is relatively young (created in 2020), which is a potential red flag for online stores, as newer domains are often associated with higher scam risks.
The .cc top-level domain (TLD) is considered risky, as it is commonly abused by fraudulent sites due to its low cost and lax oversight.
The registrar, Sarek Oy, is legitimate but not among the most reputable, and the lack of updated WHOIS data or registrant details (often redacted for privacy) limits transparency.
No ownership details are publicly available, which is common but concerning for a financial service provider. Legitimate brokers typically provide clear contact and ownership information. Conclusion: The WHOIS data reveals a young domain with a risky TLD and limited transparency, consistent with characteristics of potentially fraudulent sites. The lack of registrant details further obscures accountability.

5. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

Hosting Provider: The site uses Cloudflare for DNS and likely hosting, as indicated by the name servers (dina.ns.cloudflare.com, ridge.ns.cloudflare.com). Cloudflare is a reputable service providing DDoS protection and CDN services, but it is widely used by both legitimate and fraudulent sites due to its privacy features.
IP Location: Specific IP details are not provided in the sources, but Cloudflare’s infrastructure typically masks the true server location, making it difficult to pinpoint the hosting country. This can be a red flag, as scam sites often obscure their physical location to evade jurisdiction.
Email Configuration: The site cannot receive emails on its own domain (e.g., info@altcrypt.cc), which is unusual for a legitimate financial service and suggests a lack of professional infrastructure. Conclusion: The use of Cloudflare provides some security but also obscures the site’s true hosting details, a tactic often used by scam sites to avoid detection. The lack of a functional domain email further undermines credibility.

Limited Presence: There is no evidence of an official Altcrypt.cc social media presence on major platforms like Twitter/X, Facebook, or LinkedIn. Legitimate brokers typically maintain active social media accounts to engage with clients and build trust.
User Mentions: Social media mentions of Altcrypt.cc are overwhelmingly negative, primarily on platforms like Reddit, where users warn others about scams. No positive or promotional content from the company itself was found.
Suspicious Ads: Some users report encountering Altcrypt.cc through suspicious online ads or unsolicited emails, which are common vectors for scam promotion. Conclusion: The absence of a verifiable social media presence, combined with negative user mentions and reports of suspicious ads, suggests Altcrypt.cc does not engage in legitimate marketing and relies on unsolicited outreach, a hallmark of scam operations.

7. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

Based on the analysis, the following red flags and risk indicators are evident:

Advance-Fee Demands: Requiring upfront payments (e.g., $100–$1500) for “insurance,” “conversion,” or “smart contracts” is a classic scam tactic.
Unverifiable Claims: Promises of recovered funds from prior scams, often with inflated account balances, lack substantiation and are designed to bait victims.
Aggressive Communication: Persistent calls from individuals who avoid questions or become frustrated when challenged.
Association with Other Scams: Links to entities like Starwiz.io and InfinityPlus.cc, which have similar complaint patterns, suggest a coordinated scam network.
Non-Functional Website Features: Broken links for critical pages (e.g., Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy) indicate unprofessionalism or deliberate obfuscation.
Lack of Regulation: No evidence of licensing or oversight by any financial authority, a major risk for investment platforms.
Remote Access: Reports of agents using remote access software to control users’ computers, posing risks of data theft or malware installation.
Unsolicited Contact: Cold calls and emails with login credentials, often referencing prior scams, suggest phishing or data harvesting.
Risky TLD: The .cc domain is associated with higher scam prevalence due to lax registration requirements.
Obscured Ownership: No clear company details, physical address, or contact information beyond a generic support email. Conclusion: The presence of multiple, well-documented red flags strongly indicates that Altcrypt.cc is likely a fraudulent operation, possibly part of a broader scam network targeting vulnerable individuals.

8. Website Content Analysis ¶

Content Quality: The website appears professional at first glance, displaying account balances and crypto wallet interfaces, but users report inconsistencies, such as non-functional links and vague explanations of services.
Claims and Promises: The site allegedly shows users’ “recovered funds” with inflated figures to entice payments. This tactic exploits victims’ hopes of recovering losses from prior scams.
Lack of Transparency: No clear information about the company’s ownership, location, or operational details is provided, which is atypical for legitimate financial services.
Support Access: Contacting support requires a password, and responses are often delayed or unhelpful, further frustrating users. Conclusion: The website’s content is designed to appear legitimate but lacks substance and transparency. Its primary function seems to be displaying fictitious account balances to extract fees, a common scam strategy.

9. Regulatory Status ¶

No Regulation: Altcrypt.cc is not regulated or authorized by any major financial authority, such as the SEC, FCA, CySEC, or ASIC. This lack of oversight means users have little to no legal recourse if funds are lost.
Offshore/Non-Jurisdictional: Even if regulated, the absence of a regulator in the user’s jurisdiction (e.g., USA, UK, EU) would limit protections. Altcrypt’s lack of any regulatory mention suggests it operates entirely outside legal frameworks.
Crypto Licensing Claims: Some users report Altcrypt claiming that withdrawals require a “crypto exchange license,” which is not a standard requirement for personal crypto transactions and appears to be a fabricated excuse to demand fees. Conclusion: Altcrypt.cc’s complete lack of regulatory oversight is a critical risk factor, rendering it an unsafe platform for financial transactions.

10. User Precautions ¶

To protect against potential scams like Altcrypt.cc, users should:

Avoid Unsolicited Offers: Do not engage with unsolicited calls, emails, or messages promising fund recovery or investment opportunities.
Verify Regulation: Only use platforms licensed by reputable regulators in your jurisdiction (e.g., SEC, FCA). Check regulatory databases directly.
Research Thoroughly: Investigate companies through review platforms, WHOIS lookups, and scam databases (e.g., Scamdoc, Scamadviser) before sending money.
Never Pay Upfront Fees: Legitimate recovery services deduct fees from recovered funds, not upfront. Be wary of any advance-fee demands.
Secure Personal Data: Avoid sharing bank details, passwords, or allowing remote access to your computer. Use two-factor authentication for crypto wallets.
Report Scams: If scammed, report to the FTC (USA), Action Fraud (UK), or equivalent authorities, and warn others via review platforms.
Use Reputable Platforms: Trade or store crypto on trusted platforms like Coinbase or eToro, which have high trust scores and regulatory compliance. Conclusion: Proactive research, skepticism of unsolicited offers, and adherence to regulated platforms are essential to avoid falling victim to scams like Altcrypt.cc.

11. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

Similar Domains:
altcrypt.com: An unrelated domain, registered in 2016, with no reported scam activity. It is older, uses a .com TLD, and appears to be a low-traffic site with no clear connection to altcrypt.cc.
altCrypt (GitHub): A file encryption/decryption library on GitHub by AdrianLThomas, unrelated to the crypto wallet or investment platform. This could cause confusion for users searching for “altcrypt” in a technical context.
Misleading Associations: Altcrypt.cc’s name resembles legitimate crypto platforms, potentially causing confusion with trusted brands like Coinbase or Kraken. The professional-looking website and use of crypto terminology (e.g., “smart contracts,” “wallets”) may mislead users into assuming legitimacy.
Scam Network: Altcrypt.cc’s association with Starwiz.io and InfinityPlus.cc suggests it may be part of a network using similar branding to confuse victims, leveraging names that sound credible in the crypto space. Conclusion: The name “Altcrypt” risks confusion with unrelated but legitimate entities (e.g., altcrypt.com, GitHub’s altCrypt) and may exploit the credibility of the broader crypto industry. Users must verify the exact domain (altcrypt.cc) to avoid mix-ups.

12. Summary and Recommendations ¶

Overall Assessment: Altcrypt.cc exhibits numerous characteristics of a fraudulent operation, likely a recovery scam targeting victims of prior frauds. Key evidence includes:

Widespread user complaints about advance-fee demands and non-delivered funds.
Low trust scores and high-risk indicators from scam detection platforms.
Lack of regulatory oversight, transparency, or verifiable ownership.
Suspicious website practices (e.g., broken links, bot blocking) and aggressive, unsolicited outreach.
Association with other reported scam entities like Starwiz.io and InfinityPlus.cc. Risk Level: High. Engaging with Altcrypt.cc poses a significant risk of financial loss, data theft, or further victimization. Recommendations:
Avoid Interaction: Do not engage with Altcrypt.cc or respond to unsolicited offers from associated entities.
Report and Warn: Share experiences on platforms like Trustpilot or Reddit to warn others, and report to authorities like the FTC or local fraud agencies.
Use Trusted Platforms: For crypto transactions, stick to regulated, reputable platforms with strong track records (e.g., Coinbase, eToro).
Educate Yourself: Learn to recognize scam tactics, such as advance-fee schemes and phishing, to avoid future risks. Final Note: While the crypto industry offers legitimate opportunities, unregulated platforms like Altcrypt.cc exploit its complexity and lack of oversight. Always prioritize due diligence and skepticism to protect your finances and personal information.

Disclaimer: This analysis is based on publicly available information as of April 25, 2025, and reflects patterns observed in the data. Users should conduct their own research and exercise caution, as scam tactics evolve rapidly.