Cryptocurrencies have turn out to be standard targets for cybercriminals, making the most of their anonymity and lack of regulation. These crimes typically goal people on-line by hacking and ransomware. Nevertheless, prior to now there have been some aggressive crimes that focused unsuspecting people in broad daylight. Thai information businesses reported on Friday, November 8 final 12 months, {that a} Ukrainian vacationer lately misplaced $250,000 price of USDT in an armed theft.
In line with police, the Ukrainian nationwide Attack by two armed men. The vacationer was pressured to switch $250,000 in USDT to the suspect earlier than contacting Thai police.
One other organized cryptocurrency extortion in Thailand
Cryptocurrency holders will not be solely in danger from hacking and ransomware. They’re additionally targets of bodily armed theft and extortion. On November 10 final 12 months, native information in Thailand reported {that a} younger Ukrainian vacationer was assaulted and robbed of $250,000 price of money. USDT.
In line with a number of stories, the theft happened in Phuket, Thailand final Friday, November eighth, however no native residents had been concerned within the incident.
Ropes and tape had been left on the crime scene in Phuket, Thailand. Supply: Bangkok Publish/Picture: Kamala police station.
In line with native stories, Ukrainian nationwide Viacheslav Leibov, 23, was concerned within the deliberate extortion try. In line with a printed police report, Leibov was invited to take a look at the room by his Ukrainian pal Alfred Chernyshuk, 18.
When Leibov arrived, he was greeted by 21-year-old Armenian Arman Grigorian. Then, two masked individuals attacked Leibov.
The police report additionally revealed that the attackers brandished knives and hammers and threatened to hurt Leibov if he didn’t switch $250,000 in USDT to his pockets.
Leibov obliged and transferred the quantity for his personal security. Lebov was tied to a mattress and informed to not report the incident to authorities. Regardless of his attacker’s warnings, Raybox managed to flee and alert authorities.
Cryptocurrency extortion is a critical concern
However, cybercrime reminiscent of hacking and ransomware is just not new. Along with these cybercrimes, crypto holders face fraud and extortion in international locations reminiscent of Thailand. Leibov’s latest extortion expertise is just not the primary within the Southeast Asian nation.
In November, Thai authorities arrested a gaggle concerned in a USDT 10 million extortion scheme. In line with stories, seven suspects had been concerned, together with six. unscrupulous police officerbroken the credibility of the Thai police.
Cryptocurrency holders now face safety dangers on all fronts
Historically, crypto holders and merchants have confronted essentially the most vital safety threats when conducting enterprise on-line. By some estimates, cryptocurrency-related ransomware induced losses of greater than $1 billion in 2023.
These incidents reported in Thailand and different vacationer locations have made it clear that holders are additionally dealing with issues when utilizing chilly wallets.
Featured picture from The Courier Mail, chart from TradingView