This operational pattern is actually a classic wash trading and pump-and-dump scheme. Let's break down the entire process.
The scammer first gains trading access to an account with a large fund balance (only trading rights, withdrawal rights are held by the victim). Then, they open multiple small fund accounts under their own name simultaneously—these small accounts have limited funds but are enough to coordinate the main operation.
Next, they use the controlled large account to aggressively pump the price, creating a false impression of a breakout. The coin price soars, and the market follows suit. At this point, the small accounts take the opportunity to close positions for profit, while simultaneously withdrawing funds and shorting, waiting for the large account to absorb the sell-off and crash the price.
Finally, the large account gets hit again, and the scammer runs away with the profits from the small accounts, leaving victims with only the manipulated large account and losses. The entire chain relies on information asymmetry and account permission differences to coordinate manipulation.
This type of scam is especially common in coins with frequent wash trading. Participants must be vigilant for abnormal trading signals involving multi-account coordination.
View Original
This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.
8 Likes
Reward
8
4
Repost
Share
Comment
0/400
ZKProofEnthusiast
· 9h ago
Wow, this tactic is genius. Using a small account to coordinate with a big account to dump really makes it hard to defend against.
View OriginalReply0
SatoshiSherpa
· 9h ago
Another old trick. This kind of multi-account coordination should have been shut down by exchanges long ago.
View OriginalReply0
RugDocScientist
· 9h ago
I've seen this trick before; in the crypto world, a batch of people die every year doing the same thing.
Wash trading is basically outright theft; those who can't defend their account permissions deserve it.
It's the same old story—when will exchanges truly be able to prevent coordinated manipulation?
Small accounts cooperating to dump, classic textbook scam—wake up, everyone.
Poor separation of permissions is useless no matter how many warnings you give.
That's why I never touch coins promoted by others; it's too easy to become a bag holder.
Coins with frequent wash trading are easy to see through; the more popular the market, the more dangerous it is.
My classmate almost got scammed; luckily, I pulled him out just in time.
View OriginalReply0
JustHereForAirdrops
· 9h ago
Damn, it's the same old trick, I've seen it too many times
---
Small accounts cooperating with large accounts to pump, just a new twist on an old routine
---
That's why I only hold mainstream coins; all the trash altcoins are played the same way
---
If you don't control your withdrawal rights, you're leaving a backdoor for others
---
It feels like crypto scams can never be fully prevented; who can truly see through them
---
When multi-account coordination signals appear, just run immediately, there's nothing more to say
---
So that's why my strategy is to copy big V influencers and then get out quickly
---
Honestly, this kind of wash trading game is much more covert than a rug pull
---
Countering with short positions and waiting for a dump—this move is really brilliant
---
It looks simple but is actually quite hard to defend against, unless you completely avoid small coins
This operational pattern is actually a classic wash trading and pump-and-dump scheme. Let's break down the entire process.
The scammer first gains trading access to an account with a large fund balance (only trading rights, withdrawal rights are held by the victim). Then, they open multiple small fund accounts under their own name simultaneously—these small accounts have limited funds but are enough to coordinate the main operation.
Next, they use the controlled large account to aggressively pump the price, creating a false impression of a breakout. The coin price soars, and the market follows suit. At this point, the small accounts take the opportunity to close positions for profit, while simultaneously withdrawing funds and shorting, waiting for the large account to absorb the sell-off and crash the price.
Finally, the large account gets hit again, and the scammer runs away with the profits from the small accounts, leaving victims with only the manipulated large account and losses. The entire chain relies on information asymmetry and account permission differences to coordinate manipulation.
This type of scam is especially common in coins with frequent wash trading. Participants must be vigilant for abnormal trading signals involving multi-account coordination.