What happened:
My friend encountered problems while using ChangeNOW to exchange ETH:
First of all the initial exchange went through without issues.
The receiving exchange (I referred to them as "X") held the funds and requested KYC verification.
After completing KYC, exchange X only agreed to return funds to the original ChangeNOW wallet address.
ChangeNOW's Response
During KYC process this issue also has been talked with ChangeNOW support channel and here is their reply.
When my friend agreed to have the funds returned X exchange has return the funds to ChangeNOW:
Now everything started.
ChangeNOW requested KYC verification, which was completed.
They then requested additional KYC, including a video call.
The process has been ongoing for a weeks and my friend already give up from that money.
Scammers Profile Link: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1307188 and https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2286031
Reference Link: https://changenow.io/
Amount Scammed: 1.05 ETH (2,500 USD)
Payment Method: ETH
Proof of Payment: I would not want to publish his wallet address. However if any mods want to confirm I can send exchange/txs to show wallets and any others. I am adding pictures.
PM/Chat Logs: Have a very long dialogue through email support, if any mod wants i can send them, i will just add here important parts.
Additional Notes:
I strongly advise everyone to not use ChangeNOW (changenow.io), Exolix, and Swapuz. They’re all part of the same operation, despite pretending to be separate projects. This has been exposed multiple times on Reddit and Bitcointalk.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5508552.msg64516309#msg64516309
https://web.archive.org/web/20220213142831/swapuz.com/assets/index.223d937f.js - search for "Exolix"
If you dig into the source code, you’ll find references linking Exolix. Even it has been reported to Kycnot.me, which initially listed both services. After shared findings, they removed Swapuz and eventually Exolix due to inconsistencies. Given all this, it’s best to avoid these exchanges and not to get scammed.
My friend encountered problems while using ChangeNOW to exchange ETH:
First of all the initial exchange went through without issues.
The receiving exchange (I referred to them as "X") held the funds and requested KYC verification.
After completing KYC, exchange X only agreed to return funds to the original ChangeNOW wallet address.
ChangeNOW's Response
During KYC process this issue also has been talked with ChangeNOW support channel and here is their reply.
When my friend agreed to have the funds returned X exchange has return the funds to ChangeNOW:
Now everything started.
ChangeNOW requested KYC verification, which was completed.
They then requested additional KYC, including a video call.
The process has been ongoing for a weeks and my friend already give up from that money.
Scammers Profile Link: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1307188 and https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2286031
Reference Link: https://changenow.io/
Amount Scammed: 1.05 ETH (2,500 USD)
Payment Method: ETH
Proof of Payment: I would not want to publish his wallet address. However if any mods want to confirm I can send exchange/txs to show wallets and any others. I am adding pictures.
PM/Chat Logs: Have a very long dialogue through email support, if any mod wants i can send them, i will just add here important parts.
Additional Notes:
I strongly advise everyone to not use ChangeNOW (changenow.io), Exolix, and Swapuz. They’re all part of the same operation, despite pretending to be separate projects. This has been exposed multiple times on Reddit and Bitcointalk.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5508552.msg64516309#msg64516309
https://web.archive.org/web/20220213142831/swapuz.com/assets/index.223d937f.js - search for "Exolix"
If you dig into the source code, you’ll find references linking Exolix. Even it has been reported to Kycnot.me, which initially listed both services. After shared findings, they removed Swapuz and eventually Exolix due to inconsistencies. Given all this, it’s best to avoid these exchanges and not to get scammed.