#USHouseMarketStructureDraft How Hackers Use Fake Phones to Steal Cryptocurrency Assets

Imagine you just bought a new smartphone. You turn it on, set up the initial configuration steps, try the camera, and download your favorite apps. You even install a cryptocurrency wallet from the official app store and quickly load it with funds for storage. Everything runs smoothly—until one day, when you open the wallet app, you discover your balance has vanished.

What happened? You followed all the safety guidelines: downloaded apps from official sources, enabled two-factor authentication (2FA), and absolutely did not share sensitive information. But there is one thing you were completely unaware of: from the moment the phone was powered on, it was under the control of hackers.

In recent years, cybercriminals have developed a sophisticated new attack method: distributing fake phones pre-installed with malware to seize digital assets. This article will analyze the mechanisms at play, the signs to recognize, and preventive measures against this increasingly common type of scam.