04.07.2025 03:07

Ildar Ilham, founder of WhiteRock Finance, is currently detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This detention stems from a wide-ranging investigation into allegations of a significant $30 million fraud connected to the ZKasino platform. The arrest highlights the ongoing challenges surrounding security and transparency within the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector.

The UAE's action follows a series of events linked to the case. According to crypto investigator ZachXBT, Ilham's detainment is part of an extradition process. This process is intended to connect him with previous arrests made in the Netherlands, all pertaining to the same alleged $30 million ZKasino scam. This international cooperation underscores the transnational nature of modern financial crimes.

The ZKasino platform, launched in April 2024, promised substantial token airdrops to early adopters. However, investors have yet to receive these promised returns, fueling suspicions about the legitimacy of the project and leading to a significant drop in the value of its associated token. The prolonged investigation, spanning multiple countries and involving numerous suspects, demonstrates the considerable difficulties in prosecuting such complex, cross-border financial crimes within the crypto ecosystem. The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in investing in less established DeFi projects. Further investigation is needed to fully unravel the extent of the alleged fraud and bring those responsible to justice.