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$1.2 million lost in new Bitcoin scam alert

$1.2 million lost in new Bitcoin scam alert

GrafaGrafa2025/04/07 10:00
By:Mahathir Bayena

Jameson Lopp, chief security officer at Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) custody firm Casa, has issued a warning about the rising threat of Bitcoin address poisoning attacks. 

This social engineering scam tricks users into sending funds to fraudulent addresses that closely resemble legitimate ones from their transaction history.

In a February 6 article, Lopp detailed how attackers generate fake Bitcoin addresses that mimic the first and last characters of a victim’s genuine addresses. 

These fake addresses are then inserted into the victim’s transaction history through small transactions, making them appear trustworthy. 

If users fail to verify the full address carefully, they risk sending funds to the attacker.

Lopp’s analysis of blockchain data revealed nearly 48,000 suspected address poisoning transactions between July 2023 and January 2025. 

The attacks resumed in March 2025 after a brief pause, with over $1.2 million stolen in that month alone, according to cybersecurity firm Cyvers.

Address poisoning relies heavily on human error, as users often copy-paste addresses without double-checking them. 

“The mechanics are simple yet effective,” Lopp noted, emphasising the importance of vigilance when conducting cryptocurrency transactions.

The broader impact of these scams is significant. 

Blockchain security firm PeckShield reported that crypto hacks in Q1 2025 resulted in over $1.6 billion in losses, with address poisoning contributing to this total. 

High-profile incidents like the Bybit hack in February, which accounted for $1.4 billion in losses, highlight the evolving sophistication of cybercriminals.

Lopp called for improved wallet interfaces that display full addresses to help users avoid falling victim to such scams. 

He also urged Bitcoin holders to thoroughly review destination addresses before sending funds.

At the time of reporting, the Bitcoin (BTC) price was $77,573.25.

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