North Wales Police (UK) are investigating a sophisticated scam, in which a scammer impersonated a senior police officer to steal $2.8 million worth of Bitcoin from a victim's hardware wallet. This incident shows that scams are becoming increasingly complex, targeting even seasoned cryptocurrency investors.
Details of the Scam
The victim received a call from someone claiming to be a "senior law enforcement officer," informing them that their personal information had been leaked from the phone of a recently arrested suspect. The scammer used psychological tactics such as creating a sense of fear and urgency to convince the victim to "secure their assets" by logging into their hardware wallet through a phishing link.
Believing they were following police instructions, the victim entered their recovery phrase into a sophisticated fake website. Immediately, the Bitcoin in the wallet was completely drained. #England
Warnings and Prevention
Police #NorthWales emphasized that legitimate investigators will never call to inquire about cryptocurrency assets or the public recovery phrase. This is a major "red flag" that requires vigilance. Police advise individuals to hang up and call the police directly to verify.
This incident serves as an important reminder that scammers do not only target newcomers but also create complex "social engineering" schemes to deceive even the most cautious users. Legitimate companies and law enforcement agencies will never ask you for your recovery phrase. #anh_ba_cong