Unveiling the KYC Actor Industry

CertiK investigated and interviewed a KYC actor who has been selling fake identity verifications to facilitate crypto scams, and performed a deep dive into OTC dark marketplaces (Telegram, Discord and gig sites) where fake KYC services and pre-KYCed accounts are traded; they found large scale activity (over 500,000 participants), low prices ($8–$30 for simple gigs, up to $500/week for higher-value roles), and geographic concentration in Southeast Asia. The report warns that superficial third-party KYC badges are frequently bypassed, enabling insider hacks and exit scams, and recommends conducting thorough background investigations by trained investigators rather than relying on simple ID checks or amateur KYC services.