Brinztech Alert: Alleged Database of “Pholoniex” is Leaked (Likely Poloniex or Phishing Clone)

Dark Web News Analysis

A threat actor on a known hacker forum has posted a database labeled “Pholoniex Email List.xlsx”. The content is currently hidden behind a “reply or like” wall, a common tactic used to boost engagement on cybercrime forums.

Brinztech Analysis:

• The Name Anomaly (“Pholoniex” vs. “Poloniex”): The most critical insight is the spelling. “Pholoniex” is almost certainly a typo for Poloniex, the major cryptocurrency exchange. This discrepancy points to two possibilities:
  1. Typosquatting/Phishing Site: The database originates from a fake exchange (e.g., pholoniex.com) designed to look like the real Poloniex. If so, this is a list of confirmed victims who have already entered their credentials into a fraudulent site.
  2. Leaker Error: The threat actor simply misspelled the target’s name. If this is the case, it could be a legitimate leak from the real Poloniex exchange.
• The Data: The file is an Excel sheet (.xlsx) containing email addresses. While emails alone are often considered “low severity,” in the crypto context, they are high-value targets for “Whale Phishing” and Crypto-Drainer campaigns.
• The Source: The “Reply-to-Download” mechanic suggests this is a “low-tier” leak being shared for reputation points rather than a high-value private sale.

Key Cybersecurity Insights

This leak presents a specific threat to cryptocurrency traders:

• High-Probability Phishing List: If this list comes from a phishing site (“Pholoniex”), the individuals on it are self-selected as vulnerable. Attackers will likely retarget them with emails claiming “Your Pholoniex account is locked,” hoping they fall for the same trick twice.
• Credential Stuffing: Crypto users frequently reuse passwords. If this leak contains associated passwords (common in phishing logs), attackers will immediately test them against the real Poloniex, Binance, and Coinbase.
• Staged Release Risk: Attackers often release a “teaser” (like an email list) to generate interest before selling the more sensitive data (passwords, 2FA seeds, KYC docs) privately.
• Privacy & Doxxing: Linking an email address to a crypto exchange exposes the owner as a potential holder of digital assets, raising their risk profile for sim-swapping attacks.

Mitigation Strategies

In response to this claim, Poloniex users and crypto traders should take defensive measures:

• URL Verification: Check your browser history. Have you ever visited pholoniex.com or similar misspellings? If so, consider your account compromised. Always use bookmarked links for exchanges.
• Credential Hygiene: Change your password on the real Poloniex exchange immediately. Ensure you are using a unique, random password generated by a password manager.
• Enable Hardware 2FA: SMS 2FA is insufficient for crypto accounts. Switch to an authenticator app (Authy/Google) or a hardware key (YubiKey) to prevent account takeover even if your password is stolen.
• Monitor “Login” Emails: Be skeptical of any email claiming “Unauthorized Login Attempt.” Verify the sender’s domain strictly (e.g., @poloniex.com, NOT @pholoniex-support.com).

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