In a shocking turn of events, a crypto scammer managed to steal 2.1 million British pounds ($2.8 million) worth of Bitcoin, and get this, they impersonated a senior UK police officer. Yes, you heard that right. It seems like scammers are leveling up in the most creative (and shady) ways possible.
According to North Wales Police, the thief tricked the victim by claiming they were a law enforcement officer. They said they had arrested someone whose phone contained the victim’s ID documents and used the victim's “fear and urgency” to push them into action. The victim was told to “secure their assets” by logging into their crypto cold wallet using a link sent by the scammer. And just like that, the Bitcoin was gone, poof!
A New Trend in Crypto Scams
In my opinion, this scam is a prime example of how sophisticated scammers have become. The police even suspect that the victim might have been targeted after a data breach, making this scam not just sneaky but highly advanced. We’re talking about a whole new level of crypto crime, folks.
This scam is a part of a disturbing new trend where long-term crypto holders are targeted. The scammer knew exactly how to exploit the victim's sense of security and fear, preying on their assumption that law enforcement would be in contact if something went wrong with their assets.
The Red Flags You Can’t Ignore
North Wales Police want crypto holders to be more vigilant. They’ve warned that police will never call you out of the blue to talk about your crypto or ask you to take action on your cold storage device. That’s a massive red flag.
They also reminded us that officers will never ask for your crypto seed phrase. So, if anyone claiming to be a cop asks for that, it’s time to hit the hang-up button, fast. I don’t know about you, but that’s some next-level scammer behavior right there.
What You Should Do
North Wales Police urged crypto holders to be cautious and verify any suspicious calls claiming to be from law enforcement. Always contact the police directly to confirm whether a call is legitimate. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when scammers are out here stealing millions.
But it’s not just the UK. Scammers are on the prowl worldwide, impersonating not just law enforcement but also crypto exchange employees. The FBI recently warned that scammers are pretending to be from crypto exchanges, claiming account issues, and tricking victims into sharing sensitive information. And as if that’s not creepy enough, deepfake technology is being used to create fake voices of officials to deceive victims.
Kristian Koch
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