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Scam alert: couple loses 21 eth to sophisticated fraud

Crypto Scam Claims 21 ETH! | Texas Couple Tricked by Fake Coinbase Officials

By

Sofia Kim

Apr 26, 2025, 06:55 PM

Edited By

Omar Ahmed

2 minutes to read

A Texas couple expressing concern after losing 21 ETH to a Coinbase scam, with worried expressions and a laptop in front of them

A Texas couple has suffered a staggering loss of 21 ETH due to a sophisticated scam posing as Coinbase's asset protection services. Amidst the chaos of a workday, a call placed to the husband initiated a theft that has left them devastated.

How the Scam Unfolded

The husband received a call from a woman claiming to work for Coinbase, alerting him about suspicious login attempts. Skeptical yet intrigued, he was soon connected to a man identifying himself as "Thomas Serrano," who spoke with a familiar American accent. This caller was convincing enough to keep the husband engaged for over 25 minutes, leading him to follow instructions that resulted in a significant transfer of his cryptocurrency.

"This was just so… personal. I usually spot scams," the husband remarked, reflecting on the unusual nature of the interaction.

Warning Signs Ignored

Despite initial doubts, the husband was assured by the professionalism displayed on the phone. He later found that a series of emails from a no-reply address further convinced him of the legitimate nature of this contact. Unfortunately, after transferring 21 ETH to his Coinbase Wallet, all coins were swiftly moved to an unknown wallet minutes later.

Community Reaction

Online forums have buzzed with responses to this incident. Commenters highlighted:

  • Criticism of the husband's decision-making: β€œApparently your husband is not a high intelligence individual πŸ€£β€

  • Skeptical advice on cryptocurrency security: β€œYou can’t steal crypto but you can give it away.”

The sentiment leans towards disbelief, with some individuals attributing the loss to failure in recognizing social engineering tactics.

Key Takeaways

  • πŸ’” 21 ETH lost in a Coinbase scam

  • πŸ” Couple alerted the authorities, filed reports

  • ⚠️ Calls for awareness on phishing schemes

  • 🚨 β€œPlease, no β€˜I can’t believe you didn’t spot it,’” the husband’s plea highlights the need for constructive dialogue.

What Comes Next?

The couple has taken necessary steps, filing police and FBI reports, but they face an uphill battle in recouping their losses. As they navigate these complicated waters, they ask for assistance from others who may have faced similar issues.

Could this incident serve as a wake-up call for crypto investors? It's evident that scammers are getting increasingly clever, targeting the very essence of trust within the crypto community.

Stay informed, stay cautious.

For more details about cryptographic safety and current scams, visit Coinbase’s official support or check relevant news updates.