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Writer's picturemeowdini

Scammers Pose as Coinbase to Steal $1.7M in a Series of Sophisticated Attacks

Scammers impersonating Coinbase representatives have stolen $1.7 million from a user amid a string of recent attacks, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance.

A sophisticated scam involving individuals posing as Coinbase representatives has led to the theft of $1.7 million from a user’s self-custody wallet. This incident is part of a string of similar attacks targeting cryptocurrency users, underscoring the importance of vigilance and security in crypto.


 A masked thief, symbolizing the scammers who posed as Coinbase representatives to steal $1.7 million from a crypto user.
A masked thief, representing the sophisticated scammers impersonating Coinbase representatives.

Key Points:


Scam Details:

  • Scammers impersonated Coinbase representatives, contacting victims via phone and email.

  • Victims were tricked into revealing portions of their seed phrases, leading to the theft of their crypto assets.


The $1.7 Million Theft:

  • A victim was convinced to share part of their seed phrase after being told their wallet was at risk.

  • Despite knowing the risks, the victim entered a part of their seed phrase on a scam website.


Warnings and Experiences:

  • Tegan Kline shared a detailed account from the victim to warn others.

  • Hiro Systems CEO Alex Miller reported a similar scam attempt, suggesting a possible data leak from CoinTracker.


Security Advice:

  • Users are advised never to share their seed phrases and to be cautious of unsolicited calls and emails.

  • Regularly update and cycle API keys, especially if using services like CoinTracker.


Impact and Statistics:


  • Over $1.19 billion was lost to crypto security incidents in the first half of 2024.

  • More than $900 million was stolen through phishing and seed phrase compromise attacks.



The recent spate of scams targeting Coinbase users is a stark reminder of the need for robust security practices in the cryptocurrency industry. Users must remain vigilant, verify the authenticity of communications, and never share their seed phrases to protect their assets.


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