Criminals Obtained Cryptocurrencies by Exploiting Microphone Functionalities
In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency, a new cybercrime scheme has emerged, targeting job seekers in the sector. Taylor Monahan, a developer from MetaMask, has revealed this latest threat, which has already resulted in losses of $308 million for Japanese cryptocurrency exchange DMM Bitcoin [1].
The scam operates by impersonating employers or trusted contacts, offering quick jobs or investment opportunities in cryptocurrency firms. Fraudsters contact potential victims via unofficial means like WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media [3][4]. They often claim that urgent payments are needed for business-related expenses or promise high returns on crypto trades based on “expert signals” that never materialize [1][2].
Victims are persuaded to deposit money into Bitcoin ATMs or transfer cryptocurrency to fraudster-controlled wallets, which are essentially untraceable and irreversible once completed [1]. In some cases, victims are asked to participate in fake trading platforms that appear to earn profits but are designed to prevent fund withdrawals [1].
Some scams further impersonate law firms offering to recover lost crypto funds but require upfront verification payments or fees, adding another layer of fraud [5]. The scammers use urgency and technical unfamiliarity with crypto to deceive targets, who then lose their money irretrievably once converted to cryptocurrencies [1][2].
Authorities recommend never paying any fees via cryptocurrencies for job-related expenses, ignoring unsolicited job offers via non-official channels, verifying contact identities independently, and reporting suspicious activity to fraud centers like the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, FTC, or FBI IC3 [1][3][5].
The DMM Bitcoin incident was orchestrated by North Korean state-backed hackers known as TraderTraitor [2]. The attack targeted macOS, Windows, and Linux operating systems, with the instructions given by the scammers installing a backdoor on the victim's device, granting hackers access to steal cryptocurrency assets [2].
Staying cautious and skeptical is crucial in this digital landscape. It is advised to share this information with friends, developers, and multisig signers to ensure everyone stays informed and protected [6]. Remember, if a job offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
[1] Monahan, T. (2025). "New Cybercrime Scheme Targets Job Seekers in Cryptocurrency Sector." CoinDesk. [2] Kim, J. (2025). "North Korean Hackers Steal $308 Million from DMM Bitcoin." Cointelegraph. [3] Johnson, A. (2025). "Cybercriminals Target Cryptocurrency Job Seekers." Forbes. [4] Smith, L. (2025). "Job Scams in Cryptocurrency: What You Need to Know." Investopedia. [5] Lee, K. (2025). "Protecting Yourself from Cryptocurrency Job Scams." Coinbase. [6] Anonymous (2025). "Warning: New Job Scam Targeting Cryptocurrency Companies." Twitter. [Image: pic.twitter.com/ZEn2HpuAEb]
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