Crypto Thief Launders $71M in Bitcoin Using 400 Wallets in Elaborate Scam
$71 million worth of WBTC stolen in a recent wallet impersonation scam moved across multiple crypto wallets
In a brazen heist, $71 million worth of Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) stolen in a recent wallet impersonation scam has been dispersed across multiple crypto wallets. The scam, which saw an investor tricked into sending the substantial sum to a bait wallet, was uncovered on May 3. The victim had validated the wallet address by matching only the first and last characters, missing the crucial differences in the middle due to common platform display practices.
The scammer created a wallet address with similar alphanumeric characters and made a minor transaction to the victim's account, thereby gaining their trust. Upon receiving the 1,155 WBTC, the hacker swiftly converted it to approximately 23,000 Ether (ETH), a more versatile cryptocurrency. The stolen funds then sat dormant for six days, likely to avoid immediate detection.
On May 8, PeckShield, a blockchain investigation firm, noticed the stolen funds being laundered. The scammer began breaking down the loot into smaller amounts, distributing it across around 400 different crypto wallets to obfuscate the trail. Eventually, the laundered funds ended up in over 150 wallets, making it difficult but not impossible to trace.
This sophisticated scam highlights the vulnerabilities in crypto transactions, especially during bull markets when scammers are most active. It also underscores the need for investors to double-check wallet addresses beyond just the first and last characters. Moreover, the scam took advantage of ERC-2612 token standards, which allow for "gas-less" transfers. The scammers tricked users into signing approval messages, enabling them to drain wallets without transaction approval.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving tactics employed by crypto scammers. Investors are urged to be vigilant and educate themselves on secure storage methods for their assets. As the crypto landscape grows, so does the sophistication of threats, making security awareness more crucial than ever.