Scammers steal HK$3.5 million worth of virtual assets from Binance accounts using fake text messages, Hong Kong police say
- In the past two weeks, 11 Hongkongers reported that virtual assets with an estimated value of HK$3.5 million had been stolen from their Binance accounts, police say
- Scammers sent out phishing text messages telling Binance account holders to click on the link provided to verify their identity before a certain deadline
Scammers are using phishing text messages purportedly sent by the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange platform, Binance, to get details of its clients and their passwords before stealing virtual assets from their accounts, Hong Kong police have warned.
The latest scam prompted the force to issue a warning on its CyberDefender Facebook page on Monday, urging local investors to remain vigilant.
In the past two weeks, 11 Hongkongers reported to police that virtual assets with an estimated value of HK$3.5 million (US$446,835) had been stolen from their Binance accounts, according to the force.
Police said scammers recently sent out phishing text messages telling Binance account holders to click on the link provided to verify their identity before a certain deadline.
“[The fake message warned] their accounts will be disabled if the users fail to do so,” police said on their CyberDefender page.
According to the force, the account details and passwords will be stolen if clients click on the attached link connected to a bogus website or application, and then follow instructions to input personal information to verify their identity.
Scammers then use the passwords to transfer virtual assets out of their accounts.