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In its heyday, Secret was the must-have app for people wanting to post their innermost thoughts on an anonymous social network.

But now, the app has been killed off by its founders - amid accusations they took far too much money for themselves. 

It is claimed the pair wanted $3m each for themselves, which one investor compared to a 'bank heist'.

In its heyday, Secret (pictured) was the must-have app for people wanting to post their innermost thoughts on an anonymous social network. But 18 months later, boss David Byttow is pulling the plug, explaining that Secret no longer represents the vision he had when he started the company

Bill Maris, managing partner of Google Ventures, made the comments after revealing the firm had initially backed the firm, started by ex-Google employees David Byttow and Chrys Bader.

After the app went viral, the founder, opted to raise another round of financing, this time seeking $25 million.

Bill Maris, managing partner of Google Ventures, did not think it was a good idea and the company did not participate.

'We advised them against it,' Mr. Maris said in an interview with the New York Times. 

'We told them they didn't need the money. And raising that much money that soon, it was going to be impossible to meet the expectations in the future.'

Mr Maris claims that as part of the funding deal, the two founders each wanted to take $3 million for themselves. 

'It's like a bank heist,' Mr. Maris said. 

'That's not how you do a start-up.

'I think they should return all the money,' he said. 

'Some went to taxes, some went to a red Ferrari, which is apparently now sold.' 

Despite this, the company completed its $25 million financing led by Index Ventures and Redpoint Ventures, along with a variety of individual angel investors. 

However, 18 months later, boss David Byttow is pulling the plug, explaining that Secret no longer represents the vision he had when he started the company.

The app, once said to have been valued at around $100 million, is being pulled form the app store and Mr Byttow said he is hoping to return the money invested in his firm.

This means that an estimated 15 million users could be affected.

Making the announcement on Medium, Mr Byttow said: 'This has been the hardest decision of my life and one that saddens me deeply.

'I believe in honest, open communication and creative expression, and anonymity is a great device to achieve it. 

'But it's also the ultimate double-edged sword, which must be wielded with great respect and care.'

Secret let users post anonymously to friends and friends of friends.

Secret let users post anonymously to friends and friends of friends.Users didn't know who was actually posting or responding, only that the poster was someone from their contact list. Creators Chys Bader and David Byttow are pictured left and right respectively

Users didn't know who was actually posting or responding, only that the poster was someone from their contact list. 

Since the app gathered traction in February, it has had highs and lows. 

After topping 15 million users and raising millions in invested capital, the app faced a legal battle in Brazil. 

Last summer, a Brazilian court granted a preliminary injunction to a public prosecutor that banned Apple, Google, and Microsoft from listing the app on its stores and devices. 

The filing was raised after users complained the app was being used for cyber bullying.

Following this hearing, Secret, Inc added privacy tools to its app to stop people posting photos taken before the app was installed, and an improved screening process.

It also faced competition from rivals including YikYak and Whisper. 

Making the announcement on Medium, Mr Byttow said: 'This has been the hardest decision of my life and one that saddens me deeply. 'I believe in honest, open communication and anonymity is a great device to achieve it. But it's also the ultimate double-edged sword, which must be wielded with great respect and care'

Mr Byttow added: 'Secret, Inc still has a significant amount of invested capital, but our investors funded the team and the product, and I believe the right thing to do is to return the money rather than attempt to pivot.

'Innovation requires failure, and I believe in failing fast in order to go on and make only new and different mistakes.'

He said he plans to publish reports detailing some of the mistakes and challenges the app faced and thanked everyone who had supported the app.