Phishing scams in the cryptocurrency industry have been on the rise, with scammers using various tactics to trick users into transferring their funds to malicious actors. Jameson Lopp, co-founder of CasaHODL, recently warned about a new phishing scam targeting Gemini users. The scam involves a fake data breach notice that falsely claims Gemini is partnering with Trust Wallet to protect users’ funds after a security breach compromised several multi-signature wallets on their backend storage servers.
Yu Xian, founder of SlowMist, commented on the prevalence of phishing scams involving mnemonic phrases in the crypto space. These scams are often low cost to execute, utilizing leaked data from the dark web to target unsuspecting users. Experts caution that users who rely on third-party custody platforms are particularly at risk, as they may not be as familiar with the security risks associated with self-custody.
Psifour, a developer for Taproot Wizard, emphasized the importance of publicizing these scams to prevent newcomers from falling victim. By raising awareness about common phishing tactics and warning signs, users can take steps to protect themselves from falling prey to these malicious schemes. Gemini has acknowledged the phishing attempt and advised users to remain vigilant in light of the growing sophistication of these attacks.
Rising Losses in the Industry
According to the blockchain security firm Scam Sniffer, crypto phishing scams led to $63 million in losses for 9,145 victims in August alone. Despite a decrease in the number of victims, there was a significant increase in the amount of stolen funds, highlighting the evolving tactics and strategies used by scammers. This underscores the need for more robust security measures and heightened user awareness to combat the increasing threat posed by phishing scams in the cryptocurrency industry.
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