A New Phishing Scam in China Targets Crypto Users
There is a new phishing scam in China that is specifically targeting crypto users. According to a report by the crypto security analytic firm SlowMist, the Chinese hackers behind the scam are taking advantage of China’s ban on international applications to trick users and steal hundreds of thousands of dollars.
How the Scammers Operate
The scammers are using fake, cloned applications of popular social media platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Skype to target mainland users with malware designed to attack crypto wallets. In this particular case, the fake Skype app was created with a version number that made it appear legitimate, but upon closer inspection, it was found to contain malware.
The malware was designed to manipulate a commonly used Android network framework called okhttp3 to target crypto users. Once the fake app has access to a user’s device, it begins uploading images, device information, user ID, phone number, and other sensitive data to the scammers’ back end.
The Consequences
The scammers were able to replace legitimate wallet addresses with malicious ones in an attempt to steal funds from unsuspecting users. However, after testing by SlowMist, it was found that the wallet address replacement had stopped and the phishing interface’s back end was shut down.
Hot Take: Protecting Yourself Against Phishing Scams
This new phishing scam targeting crypto users in China is a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant and protecting your digital assets. Be cautious when downloading apps from third-party platforms and always verify the authenticity of any application before granting it access to your device. Additionally, consider using security measures such as two-factor authentication and reputable antivirus software to protect yourself against phishing scams.