An Attacker Poses as Forbes Journalist to Steal NFTs
An attacker recently attempted to steal non-fungible tokens (NFTs) from collectors of the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) by pretending to be a Forbes journalist during an interview.
Scammer’s Sophisticated Approach
The scammer, posing as a Forbes journalist, approached BAYC collectors and requested to interview them about their experience with the popular NFT collection. One collector, @crumz10, narrowly avoided falling for the scam.
Red Flags and Dodging the Scam
@crumz10 noticed several red flags during the two-hour interview. The scammer lacked a premium Zoom subscription and wanted to record the screen using a suspicious bot. Towards the end of the interview, the “journalist” suggested taking a photo with a banana, but @crumz10 realized it was a distraction tactic and didn’t fall for it.
Another User Warns About the Fraud
User @3orovik also alerted followers about this cunning fraud. During their interview, the scammer attempted to gain access to their computer and steal valuable tokens.
Similar Wave of Thefts
SlowMist analysts previously shared research on a similar wave of thefts. Cybercriminals posed as well-known journalists, conducted interviews via Telegram, and then tricked users into clicking phishing links in supposed follow-up forms.
Hot Take: Stay Alert and Verify Credentials
When interacting with journalists or interview requests, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and verify their credentials. Be cautious of any suspicious requests or red flags that may indicate a potential scam attempt. Always prioritize the security of your NFTs and personal information.