A shadowy new player called Vanilla Drainer has entered the crypto scam space. And they are here for the big numbers.
In fact, in the last three weeks, the scam operation has siphoned over $5 Million according to blockchain investigators and security experts.
This sophisticated scam service provides fraudsters with tools to siphon funds from unsuspecting victims.
Vanilla Drainer signals to a dangerous evolution in the crypto crime landscape.
A New Breed of Crypto Drainer
Crypto drainers are malicious entities that supply scammers with software designed to exploit vulnerabilities.
They often pair with phishing tactics to access victims’ digital wallets.
2024 saw a peak in draining scams with nearly $500 million stolen by notorious services like Angel, Inferno, and Pink.
But enhanced security measures have since limited their success.
However, where others faltered, Vanilla Drainer has emerged as a formidable force.
It has adapted to outsmart fraud detection systems like even Blockaid, which many drainers cite as a key obstacle.
According to blockchain investigator Darkbit, Vanilla Drainer has quietly taken over a significant share of the illicit market, attracting former customers of the now-dwindling Inferno Drainer.
The $3 Million Crypto Scam and Beyond
The most staggering theft linked to Vanilla Drainer occurred on August 5, 2025, when a single victim lost $3.09 million in stablecoins.
Investigators traced a $463,000 fee, roughly 17% of the haul to Vanilla’s operators, a cut that aligns with the industry-standard 20% split for drainer providers.
The service’s operators then converted the stolen tokens into Ether (ETH), valued at approximately $4,579, before funneling the funds into a final fee wallet (identified as 0x9d3…E710d).
This wallet currently holds $2.23 million in tokens, predominantly in Dai (DAI), a decentralized stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar, and ETH.
Vanilla’s trail of destruction doesn’t end there.
Blockchain analysis ties the service to at least four major scams between July 15 and August 5, 2025, totaling $5.27 million in losses.
In July alone, Vanilla was responsible for $2.19 million or over 30% of the month’s total phishing losses.
This included a $1.23 million heist that saw 54 ETH (worth $204,074 at the time) transferred to the same fee wallet.
How Does Vanilla Drainer Evade Detection?
Vanilla’s success lies in its agility.
Unlike its predecessors, which often relied on static domains and predictable tactics, Vanilla employs a dynamic approach.
By cycling through domains and deploying new smart contracts for each attack, Vanilla stays one step ahead of investigators and security tools.
The service’s operators also boast an “advanced algorithm” designed to bypass Blockaid’s detection.
This adaptability has allowed Vanilla to thrive in an environment where other drainers have struggled to survive.
The crypto-draining industry has faced setbacks, with several prominent services shutting down as security tools like Blockaid tightened the noose.
Yet, the rise of Vanilla Drainer proves that these operations are far from extinct; they evolve.
What’s Next for Victims and Investigators?
As Vanilla Drainer continues to wreak havoc, blockchain investigators and security experts face an uphill battle.
The crypto community watches anxiously as investigators work to dismantle Vanilla’s operations.
For crypto users, the rise of Vanilla serves as a sobering reminder to stay vigilant and at the least, stick to best practices.
