Millions for “tokens”: Pavel Durov personally promotes a fraudulent NFT auction of Khabib’s “gifts”
Pavel Durov initiated a Telegram sale of “presents” from Khabib Nurmagomedov — unique NFT images intended for user profile badges. Despite the lack of intrinsic worth, these elements fetched enormous prices, as noted by blogger Oleg Artyomyev.
The initial offer was 2,910 stars (around $45), yet the premier item was acquired for $30,000. Durov himself engaged in the bidding process, inflating the costs, which signals his explicit involvement in endorsing the enterprise. Furthermore, a promotional advertisement for the auction was featured in Telegram's search function, underscoring the project’s authorized advertising.
Consequently, the trading of these virtual “presents” yielded 293 million stars — an approximate 347 million rubles, equating to almost $4 million. Fundamentally, the proceeds were directed to the Telegram infrastructure itself, implying that the income was received by Durov and his platform directly.
In essence, users purchased “tokens” – NFT objects devoid of actual benefit. Individuals disbursed tens of thousands of dollars for a mere digital graphic on their profile. This is why the operation incites inquiries: who is keen on expending such significant amounts, and why is Durov vigorously advocating a mechanism that resembles plain deceit?
