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A Canadian pharmacy manager is suing a telecom company and a trading platform after losing 12.58 bitcoins—now worth over $1.36 million—in a sophisticated SIM-swapping scam.

Canadian Woman Blames Security Lapse by Telecom Employee for Crypto Loss

Canadian woman Raelene Vandenbosch is embroiled in a multi-million dollar legal battle, alleging she lost 12.57969337 bitcoins, now valued at approximately $1,359,246, to a sophisticated SIM-swapping scam.Her lawsuit, filed against telecom company Rogers Communications and Match Transact Inc.,attributes the devastating loss to a security lapse by a cellphone store employee.

According to a report citing Vandenbosch’s court filings, the elaborate scheme to hijack her digital assets unfolded on or about June 30, 2021. The central point of vulnerability was a WOW! Mobile Boutique (owned by Match Transact Inc.) kiosk in Montreal. A clerk at this kiosk allegedly answered a call from an individual posing as a Rogers technician.

This fake technician then convinced the unsuspecting clerk to share their computer screen, granting the hacker “unfettered access” to a Rogers customer database. Despite Vandenbosch residing across the country in British Columbia, the hacker, now privy to her account information, was able to download it onto a SIM card in their possession.

With this access, the hacker proceeded to assign Vandenbosch’s account to a new SIM card giving them control over her phone number, including her emails, text messages, Whatsapp, and other messaging services. Vandenbosch reportedly discovered the breach the following day when she found herself completely locked out of her phone number and mobile data.

The hacker, now in control of her digital identity, swiftly gained access to her cryptocurrency wallets on Ledger and Shakepay, ultimately pilfering all the bitcoins which were valued at $392,704.61 at the time.

Majority of Case Referred to Arbitration

Vandenbosch, pharmacy manager from Squamish, is suing for negligence, breach of privacy, and breach of contract. She accuses Rogers of failing to adequate.