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The FBI warns of an alarming increase in social media-related blockchain and crypto scams. These scams involve impersonations of credible figures in the crypto industry, creating a rushed atmosphere to coax victims into engaging with fake websites, thereby stealing victims’ crypto assets or NFTs. This article underscores the importance of remaining discerning and scrutinizing crypto ‘opportunities’ before interaction.

“The North Korean Lazarus Group, a notorious hacking collective, reportedly has $47 million in cryptocurrencies, the majority in Bitcoin. Despite a surprising lack of privacy coins, their wallets are active, suggesting underreported holdings. Previously implicated in major crypto hacks, their activities question security in blockchain.”

“The notorious co-creator of the crypto scam OneCoin, Karl Greenwood, received a 20-year prison sentence, highlighting the importance of regulation and investor protection in cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies’ integrity depends on the technology they’re built on and the people running them. This serves as a potent lesson for those navigating the rapidly evolving financial landscapes.”

“CoinEx, a renowned crypto exchange, fell victim to a major security breach, allegedly by North Korean hackers, Lazarus Group, leading to an estimated loss of over $55 million. This instance amplifies the need for robust security measures and user caution to prevent similar future incidents.”

Ethereum co-founder, Vitalik Buterin fell victim to a “SIM swap” attack, losing over $691,000 due to a fraudulent NFT promotion. The incident has shed light on the security flaws associated with phone numbers being linked to social accounts. Decentralized identity control systems could potentially offer a solution to this escalating issue.

The FBI has identified North Korean hacking group, the Lazarus Group, as responsible for the theft of $41 million from online crypto casino Stake. The large-scale cyber theft affected multiple blockchain networks including Ethereum, BNB Chain, Bitcoin, and Polygon.

“The North Korea-affiliated Lazarus Group has allegedly stolen $41 million in crypto from Stake.com, according to the FBI. Using a leaked private key to a hot wallet, the loot spread across Ethereum, BSC, Polygon, and Bitcoin networks. These hacking events highlight the crypto industry’s vulnerability and necessity for effective security measures.”

The recent $41 million Stake crypto platform hack attributed to North Korea’s Lazarus Group has added to growing cyber crime concerns in the crypto world. With a total of $200 million in stolen crypto funds recorded this year, heightened cybersecurity measures are now essential, yet challenging due to the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies.

“Crypto wallet owners are warned of a new malware, “Infamous Chisel,” linked to the Russian military intelligence agency. It targets Android devices, primarily Binance, Coinbase and Trust wallet applications, posing a significant threat to crypto security.”

“The surge in popularity of blockchain and digital assets has led to an increase in ‘pig butchering’ scams. Investment fraud losses surged from $1.45 billion in 2021 to $3.31 billion in 2022, with a large portion attributable to crypto fraud. ‘Pig butchering’ scams involve tricking investors with promises of high returns, only to swindle their investments.”

“The digital fortress of cryptocurrencies faces a possible breach by notorious North Korean hacker groups, Lazarus and APT38, suspected of planning to liquidate over $40 million in stolen BTC. North Korea’s increased cyber involvement, amassing $2 billion in crypto loot over five years, raises concerns about the security of the cryptocurrency framework and necessitates vigilance from crypto firms and individual investors.”

“The Atomic Wallet incident resulted in losses of a considerable $100 million, with recent accusations implying a Ukrainian group’s involvement. The breach situation is vague, with potential causes ranging from malware, an internal breach, to a man-in-the-middle attack. This highlights the crypto industry’s insecurity and the need for comprehensive security measures and regulation.”

The FBI has put six Bitcoin wallets, affiliated with North Korea’s Lazarus Group, on its radar, highlighting their potential possession of around $40 million. The Group’s success in crypto exploits is counterbalanced by blockchain’s public-ledger technology which makes laundering assets increasingly difficult due to traceable and freezeable transactions.

“Cybercrime threatens the crypto industry, with North Korean hackers recently pilfering $40 million in bitcoin. As the crypto industry scales, it presents both substantial rewards and dangerous security risks, attracting criminals who cash out significant sums anonymously. Proactive security measures are critical to counter these challenges.”

“In a bold phishing scam, Blockchain Capital’s Twitter was hijacked with the hackers constructing a sham giveaway to exploit the public. The incident, echoing recent FBI warnings about scams in the crypto and NFT space, underlines the importance of robust cybersecurity in the increasingly mainstream world of crypto technology.”

“Moroccan man, Soufiane Oulahyane, stands accused of stealing around $450,000 in cryptocurrency and NFTs by creating a counterfeit version of OpenSea, deceiving users into exposing their private cryptocurrency wallet keys. This case emphasizes the critical importance of online security in trading and investing in digital assets.”

“Jesse Powell, co-founder of crypto exchange Kraken, is under FBI investigation over allegations of cyber attacks and obstruction of computer accounts. This situation casts a somber shadow over the crypto space, raising questions about moral conduct in a largely unregulated yet influential sphere.”

“A duo of seventeen-year-olds allegedly perpetrated a spear phishing attack on a US investor, posing as Coinbase support and compromised the investor’s account and crypto portfolio. The eventual disclosure of around $4.2 million Bitcoin and Ethereum traced back to them has highlighted the growing threat of crypto crimes.”

US retailers like Kroger, Target, Walmart, and Amazon’s Whole Foods Market have faced a wave of bomb threats from scammers demanding ransoms in Bitcoin, gift cards or money. The extortion attempts, which reportedly target each store only once, raise concerns about the reputation of cryptocurrencies and the potential skepticism around the technology’s safety and legitimacy, despite its widespread legitimate use.

Joseph O’Conner, a 24-year-old involved in the 2020 Twitter hack, has been sentenced to five years in prison and implicated in a separate SIM swapping scheme. The hack targeted high-profile accounts, soliciting Bitcoin from followers. O’Conner’s sentencing highlights authorities’ increasing efficiency in tackling cryptocurrency-related crimes and raises concerns over high-profile account safety on social media platforms.