The cryptocurrency community is witnessing the aftermath of a $71 million wallet impersonation scam involving Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), as stolen funds begin to move after six days of inactivity. The scam, which initially involved the transfer of a substantial amount of WBTC to a deceptively similar wallet address, has now escalated with the funds being laundered through a complex network of multiple wallets.
Details of the Scam and Initial Movements
The scam unfolded on May 3 when an unsuspecting investor transferred $71 million in WBTC to what appeared to be a legitimate wallet address. The scammer had manipulated the address to resemble the investor’s intended recipient by altering only the middle characters, which are less frequently checked. The stolen WBTC was swiftly converted to Ethereum (ETH), simplifying the process of dispersion across various wallets.
Laundering Techniques and Blockchain Tracking
According to blockchain investigation firm PeckShield, the scammer started breaking down the stolen ETH and dispersing it into approximately 400 different crypto wallets. This tactic dilutes the funds and complicates efforts to trace them. Despite these efforts, as of now, blockchain analysts have been able to track the funds across over 150 wallets, maintaining a link to the original scammer.
Also Read: $68 Million in Wrapped Bitcoin Stolen in High-profile Crypto Scam
The Exploitation of ERC-2612 Standard
This incident also highlights a newer scamming technique targeting tokens that adhere to the ERC-2612 standard, which allows for gas-less transfers. This type of scam, facilitated by a fake version of the Collab.Land Telegram verification system found in a Telegram group, tricks users into signing a message that authorizes transactions without their direct consent, enabling scammers to siphon tokens freely.
Ongoing Concerns and Security Measures
The spread of the stolen $71 million underscores ongoing security challenges within the cryptocurrency ecosystem, particularly around the use of wallet addresses and the understanding of token standards that might allow unauthorized transactions. As the situation develops, the community and security experts are closely monitoring the movement of these funds and advocating for heightened vigilance among all cryptocurrency users.
