PeckShieldAlert reports that crypto-related hacking losses skyrocketed in 2024, reaching a staggering $3.01B — a 15% increase from 2023’s $2.61B. 

📊 Breakdown:

▪️ $2.15B stolen from hacks 
▪️ $834.5M from scams 
▪️ Recovery efforts brought back ~$488.5M 

💡 #CyberSecurity in crypto remains a hot topic. Stay vigilant! 🚨
#BNBBhutanReserves

Investors Face Risks from Fee-Related Scams
Cypriot authorities are urging the public to exercise caution after a 50-year-old man from Limassol lost $58,000 to a fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platform. This incident highlights the growing prevalence of manipulative tactics used in crypto market scams.
How the Scam Unfolded
Fake Platform with a Professional Appearance
The victim encountered a website in December that appeared to be a legitimate trading platform. It featured detailed charts, interactive dashboards, and tools for tracking profits. Lured by the professional design and promises of high returns, the man invested a total of $58,000 across multiple transactions.
Manipulated Data and Illusions of Profit
The scammers used a manipulated dashboard to display fake rising profits. This common tactic creates the illusion of successful investments, encouraging victims to continue depositing funds.
Demands for "Additional Fees"
When the man attempted to withdraw his supposed earnings, the scammers refused to release the funds, instead demanding additional fees to "unlock" the profits. This tactic, known as an advance fee scam, involves pressuring victims to pay more money under false pretenses, only to leave their funds inaccessible.
Recommendations from Authorities and Additional Warnings
Caution in Investing
The Cypriot Financial Crime Investigation Bureau advises against sharing sensitive financial and personal information and recommends investing only through licensed and reputable institutions. They also emphasize the importance of verifying the credibility of any advisor or platform.
Other Crypto Scam Incidents
Similar warnings have been issued by U.S. financial authorities. For instance, in June 2024, another investor lost $310,000 through a fake platform called Ethfinance. Scammers employed similar tactics, leveraging manipulated data to deceive victims.
More Sophisticated Scams
In July, another scam was uncovered where fraudsters offered fake loans. Victims were convinced their trading account profits would cover the loan repayments. However, the victims ended up repaying the loans from their own pockets while their supposed earnings remained locked on the platform.
Summary
This case from Cyprus underscores the risks of investing in cryptocurrencies through unverified platforms. Police and financial authorities warn against scammers who manipulate data and exploit investor trust. Exercising caution and thoroughly verifying investment opportunities are crucial for avoiding financial losses.

#CyberSecurity , #HackerAlert , #cyberattacks , #CryptoScamAlert , #CryptoNewss

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Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

Three Asian banks face a $3 million lawsuit for allegedly failing to protect a client from a scam that cost him nearly $1 million. The banks are accused of neglecting key Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols.
Victim of Crypto Scam Files Lawsuit
Ken Liem, a California resident, has filed a lawsuit against three banks: Fubon Bank Limited in Hong Kong, Chong Hing Bank Limited, and Singapore-based DBS Bank. He claims he was scammed through accounts hosted by these banks.
Liem lost nearly $1 million after being targeted by fraudsters who manipulated him into investing in fake cryptocurrency projects.
"Pig Butchering Scams" – A Dangerous Fraud Tactic
Fraudsters often use a tactic known as "pig butchering scams," where they gain the victim's trust by pretending to be a romantic interest or a reliable connection. Once trust is established, they lure the victim into investing in fake crypto projects.
According to the lawsuit, Liem fell victim to this tactic in June 2023 when he was offered a supposedly lucrative investment opportunity on LinkedIn. Over several months, he transferred nearly $1 million to accounts managed by the aforementioned banks.
Inadequate Safeguards and Alleged Legal Violations
The lawsuit alleges that the banks failed to conduct sufficient KYC and AML checks, which could have flagged suspicious activities. It also accuses the banks of violating the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, as DBS Bank operates a branch in California, and the other two banks reportedly processed transactions through Liem's U.S.-based Wells Fargo account.
The U.S. Bank Secrecy Act requires financial institutions to monitor, document, and report suspicious transactions to prevent fraud and money laundering.
Additional Entities Named in the Lawsuit
Four Hong Kong-based entities—Richou Trade Limited, FFQI Trade Limited, Xibing Limited, and Weidel Limited—are also named in the lawsuit. These entities allegedly opened accounts in Liem's name and illegally redirected his funds to third-party accounts.
Compensation Demanded and the Broader Impact of Scams
Liem is seeking at least $3 million in damages, holding both the banks and the named entities accountable for the losses incurred.
Pig butchering scams became the most widespread type of cryptocurrency fraud in 2024. According to a report by Cyvers, over $3.6 billion was siphoned from the crypto sector through such schemes.
Other Victims Seek Justice
Many victims of cryptocurrency fraud are turning to courts in search of justice. For instance, Hector Gustav Gutierrez, another U.S. citizen, filed a lawsuit after losing 33 bitcoins in a pig butchering scam orchestrated by a Southeast Asian crime syndicate.
This case highlights the persistent threat of crypto fraud and underscores the need for stricter measures to protect customers.

#Cryptoscam , #CyberSecurity , #HackerAlert , #blockchain , #CryptoNewss

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Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

Call for Briefing on Cybersecurity Breach
Two U.S. Republican lawmakers, Senator Tim Scott and Representative French Hill, have called on the Department of the Treasury to explain a recent cyberattack allegedly carried out by China-backed hackers.
In a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen dated December 31, the lawmakers requested a comprehensive briefing for Congress, scheduled no later than January 10. They are demanding detailed information about the hackers’ access, the specifics of how the attack occurred, and the measures taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“A Serious Security Breach”
“This cyber breach is extremely concerning,” Scott and Hill stated in their letter. They highlighted that the Treasury Department manages some of the most sensitive information in the U.S., including tax records, business ownership details, and reports of suspicious activity. According to the lawmakers, safeguarding this information must be a top priority to prevent potential misuse by foreign adversaries.
“The fact that hackers supported by the Chinese Communist Party gained access to Treasury Department systems is unacceptable,” they added, emphasizing the need for strengthened security protocols.
Details of the Incident
The cyberattack occurred on December 2, 2024, when an unidentified threat actor infiltrated the workstations of Treasury employees. The attackers gained access to certain “non-classified” documents.
According to a December 30 letter from Treasury officials to lawmakers, the incident was attributed to China-backed advanced persistent threat (APT) actors. The department has committed to providing a more detailed report within 30 days, as mandated by the Federal Information Security Modernization Act.
China Denies Responsibility
China denied involvement in the attack, telling Reuters, “We strongly reject U.S. defamatory accusations against China without any factual basis.”
This breach has raised serious concerns about the federal government’s ability to protect sensitive information from foreign cyber threats, prompting lawmakers to demand immediate answers.

#CyberSecurity , #hacking , #CryptoSecurity , #technews , #CryptoNewss

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Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

Reports indicate that the popular rapper Wiz Khalifa’s X account was hacked on November 3, with the account misused to promote a fraudulent memecoin called "WIZ." This token is currently trading for under $10,000.
Fraudulent Posts Target Crypto Fans
After the account hack, a post appeared suggesting that Wiz Khalifa had "worked with his team to launch $WIZ for all crypto fans." The post encouraged Khalifa’s 35.7 million followers to invest in the token.

WIZ Value Plummets Following a Brief Surge
The WIZ memecoin launched via the Solana platform pump.fun, initially reaching a market cap of $3.4 million within the first 15 minutes. Shortly after, however, its value plummeted as early holders sold off their tokens in large amounts, bringing WIZ down to under $28,000. According to DEX Screener, the token is currently valued around $8,400.

Profits from Token Manipulation
Data from Solscan reveals that the two largest holders bought over 155 million WIZ tokens at launch for approximately $19,100 and later sold them for a combined profit of $160,000.
Suspected Link to Another Hacking Incident
The hacker’s exact identity and how they accessed Khalifa’s account remain unknown. However, blockchain detective ZachXBT noted that this hacker is likely the same individual who compromised Truth Terminal developer Andy Ayrey’s account on October 29. Zach warned on November 3 in his public Telegram group, “Do not buy Wiz Khalifa’s Pump Fun token; it’s the same hacker who recently compromised Andy Ayrey.”
Repeated Account Hacking Pattern
The hack of Ayrey’s account followed a similar strategy—using the account to promote fraudulent memecoins, yielding over $1.5 million in illicit gains.
Significant Drop in Other Memecoins
Truth Terminal, which employs an AI bot, was responsible for inflating the value of the memecoin Goatseus Maximus (GOAT) to a peak of $940 million. However, GOAT’s market cap has since fallen by 39%, currently at $544 million since October 24.

What’s Your Take on Social Media Security?
Do you think stricter security measures should be implemented? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
#Cryptoscam , #CryptoNews🚀🔥 , #cybersecurity , #Memecoins🤑🤑 , #memecoinalert

Stay one step ahead – follow our profile and stay informed about everything important in the world of cryptocurrencies!
Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

Como bitcoin se mantiene estable en el rango de 51k y 53k, hoy tenemos dos entrevistas muy interesantes.

La primera es con Gabi Urrutia, VP of security de Halborn, el certificador blockchain mas importante del mundo

HALBORN es una empresa líder en ciberseguridad y certificación blockchain, especializada en finanzas descentralizadas y productos relacionados. Ofrecen protección 360, auditando no solo smart contracts, sino también la web, el cloud y aplicaciones móviles.

HALBORN ha certificado a importantes empresas del mercado cripto, como Coinbase y Uniswap, destacando su enfoque en la seguridad desde su fundación hace 4 años.
Además de la certificación, la empresa se dedica a la educación de empresas y usuarios en seguridad cibernética, proporcionando consejos y buenas prácticas. Gabi Urutia, representante de HALBORN, destaca la evolución exponencial en la seguridad frente a la expansión del mundo DeFi, resaltando la importancia de adaptarse a nuevas tendencias, como capas 2, rollups y regulaciones, mientras enfrentan el aumento de ataques cibernéticos.

La segunda entrevista, será con Valentín Santamaria, donde hablamos de todo un poco, sobre el mercado, la actualidad y mucho mas como la evolución y aceptación de bitcoin y criptomonedas.

Se destaca un cambio en la percepción general hacia bitcoin, con más personas reconociendo su valor en el internet del valor, y se menciona que incluso los hermanos mayores y personas más tradicionales están aceptando la tecnología.
Santamaria enfatiza la trazabilidad y el control absoluto de las finanzas que ofrece bitcoin, refutando los estigmas relacionados con terrorismo financiero y lavado de dinero.
Se habla sobre el potencial de bitcoin como el mayor mercado tecnológico en los próximos 50 años y cómo su adopción puede llevar a una mayor libertad financiera para las personas.

Se aborda la importancia de educar a la población sobre las criptomonedas, haciendo hincapié en la necesidad de hacer las cosas más fáciles y accesibles para atraer a más usuarios, y se menciona el impacto positivo de la adopción de bitcoin en El Salvador.

#Bitcoin #cybersecurity #ciberseguridad #BTC‬ $BTC $ETH $BNB