Alleged Crypto Scammer Posed As Coinbase Support To Steal $2M

An alleged scammer posing as a Coinbase assist desk employee has reportedly stolen round $2 million in crypto from customers of the change, based on blockchain sleuth ZachXBT. 

In a Monday X submit, ZachXBT claimed that he had managed to pinpoint the id of the alleged scammer after cross referencing Telegram group chat display photographs, social media posts and pockets transactions.  

ZachXBT alleged that the “Canadian risk actor” had “stolen $2M+ by way of Coinbase help impersonation social engineering scams up to now yr blowing the funds on uncommon social media usernames, bottle service, & playing,”

The Canadian allegedly deployed social engineering ways to dupe Coinbase customers into believing he labored for the change. In his submit, ZachXBT shared a leaked video of the alleged scammer on the telephone with the sufferer providing pretend buyer help. 

Whereas the specifics weren’t detailed, social engineering usually consists of scammers posing as somebody from a official organisation to achieve belief and elicit non-public knowledge from unsuspecting victims, or to make doubtful transactions. 

“Within the display recording he leaks the e-mail…. and his Telegram account with a quantity,” ZachXBT wrote. 

The alleged scammer tried to cover their tracks by frequently shopping for “costly Telegram usernames” and deleting previous accounts. Nonetheless, ZachXBT claimed it was simple to pinpoint their id and actions as a result of fixed gloating on social media, and posted screenshots of quite a few examples of “tales and selfies flaunting his life-style with little regard for opsec and was additionally caught simping for eGirls.”

ZachXBT even claimed to labored out the alleged scammer’s residence tackle utilizing publicly obtainable info, however didn’t share them as a result of X’s phrases of service. 

How can customers defend themselves in opposition to social engineering? 

Whereas seasoned crypto veterans know the perfect practices to guard themselves after years of trial and error, newcomers usually want a heads-up.

Associated: Social engineering value crypto billions in 2025: Tips on how to defend your self

It’s necessary for customers to be very vigilant about safe-keeping their non-public knowledge, don’t use the identical password for a number of providers and hold vital holdings off an change in a {hardware} pockets. 

As a rule of thumb, it is necessary to by no means click on on hyperlinks despatched to you or reply to chilly calls. All the time contact buyer help immediately via verified avenues similar to on the precise web site or app.