Scam Alert: Fraudulent Journalist Targeting BAYC Collectors
Date: 2023-11-28 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: IN WORLD
The Scam Unveiled
Holders of the NFT collection raised alarms on Twitter, highlighting a scammer targeting BAYC. One collector, known as @crumz10, narrowly escaped falling victim to the scam. The imposter, posing as a Forbes journalist, approached the holder, seeking insights into their NFT experience within the "bored ape" club.
Several red flags were noticed by the user:
The scammer lacked a premium Zoom subscription.
Attempted screen recording using an unfamiliar bot.
The lengthy two-hour interview concluded with the "journalist" suggesting taking a banana photo for the article. @crumz10, suspecting distraction, refrained from stepping away from the computer.
As the user turned off the camera and microphone, the scammer attempted to access and steal the valuable NFTs.
Warnings Spread
Another user, @3orovik, alerted followers about the cunning "journalist," highlighting attempts during interviews to gain computer access and steal expensive tokens.
Rising Instances of Fake Journalists
In mid-November, SlowMist analysts shared findings on a new wave of thefts. Cybercriminals masquerading as renowned journalists invited Friend.tech users for interviews, aiming to breach their accounts.
These fraudulent interviews were conducted through Telegram, followed by requests to fill out a form containing a phishing link.
Legal Steps and Global Concerns
In China, efforts are underway to criminalize NFT theft. The country's judiciary asserts the necessity to regard NFT collections as tangible property akin to real estate and other assets.
