Manticore – TOR Scam Report (1)
Onion Link: http://wumsyv4676p4gdrofwz5w3a74aajexxq4kss2wx42umymdy5uxxranyd.onion
Scam Report Date: 2024/10/04
Client Scam Report Breakdown
Original Report Summary:
The website in question, operating under the name “Manticore Carding Services,” is advertised as a dark web marketplace offering illicit services such as prepaid cards (Visa and MasterCard), PayPal account transfers, and Western Union transactions. The platform claims to have been in operation since 2016, allegedly growing its reputation for supplying cloned credit cards and fraudulent financial services worldwide. Key features promoted include World Wide Shipping, customer privacy protections, and the use of escrow for payment security. Upon reviewing the details from the original scam posting, it is clear that this platform employs common tactics to lure potential customers into fraudulent schemes, while exploiting anonymity and online payment systems for illicit gain. For example, it boasts that transactions through PayPal and Western Union are untraceable, playing on the myth that dark web transactions are entirely safe from detection.
In this scam, the prepaid cards offered, which allegedly include PINs and ATM functionality, are marketed at various price points based on their “balance.” The scam hinges on the claim that the cards are issued with preset amounts ranging from $3,500 to $10,000. However, these cards are likely counterfeit or invalid, designed to attract buyers seeking to cash out stolen funds or make untraceable purchases. Another red flag is the claim that customers will receive a “Full Guide” to safely withdraw funds, a tactic used to create a false sense of security and trustworthiness. Similar schemes often offer cloned or fraudulent cards that either never arrive or, if they do, are quickly rendered useless once the fraud is detected by banks. Furthermore, the use of terms such as “escrow” and “secure transactions” falsely implies buyer protection. In reality, these mechanisms are unreliable, and customers have little to no recourse once they have handed over their money.
The inclusion of PayPal and Western Union transfers as part of the scam adds to the complexity of the fraudulent activity. The platform claims to use stolen PayPal accounts (“PP ACC”) to process untraceable transfers, creating wallets that are topped up with cloned cards. Similarly, Western Union transfers are said to be sent from “verified accounts,” making it appear as though the service has been legitimized. However, these methods are heavily used in online scams to exploit buyers’ personal data and financial information. Buyers are often required to provide an email address for communication, another tactic used to collect and possibly exploit personal information. The advertised prices for these fraudulent services are relatively low, ranging from $49 for PayPal transfers to $259 for Western Union transfers of $4,000, suggesting the operators are focused on volume rather than large one-time payouts. The promise of “Free Delivery” and an MTCN code to track Western Union transactions further manipulates potential victims into thinking they are engaging in a genuine service. However, as with many dark web scams, users are often left with no products, no money, and the possibility of identity theft.
