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User loses nearly 700k usdt in address poisoning scam

User Loses Nearly $700K USDT in Address Poisoning | A Wake-Up Call for Crypto Safety

By

Liam O'Reilly

Apr 25, 2025, 09:41 AM

Edited By

Clara Smith

2 minutes to read

A person looking distressed while reviewing a cryptocurrency transaction on their phone, showing the impact of a scam.
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A user lost a staggering $699,990 USDT due to a case of address poisoning. The incident occurred swiftly; after testing a small deposit of $10, it took just 30 seconds for an attacker to exploit a vulnerable transaction. This marks the largest address poisoning loss reported in 2025.

The Incident

According to sources, the victim intended to transfer funds to Binance. After successfully testing the waters with a tiny amount, the user proceeded with a larger transaction. However, an attacker swapped in funds via a malicious transaction after the initial deposit.

  • Transaction hash: 0xa80805c97f5008637c4706b03316f61429ca3243f84b1124630d32a9540915df

  • User's address: 0xcf03aa88afda357c837b9ddd38a678e3ad7cd5d7

  • Tokens transferred: 699,990 USDT

What is Address Poisoning?

Address poisoning is a scam tactic where fraudsters send a small amount of cryptocurrency to a wallet, creating a "poisoned" record in the transaction history. This record closely resembles a legitimate address that the victim has interacted with, tricking them into copying the scammer's address mistakenly. One user cautioned, "Donโ€™t copy addresses from your TX history. Always get them from the source."

User Comments Reflect Broader Concerns

Comments from people highlight a few crucial themes in light of this incident:

  • Education on Security: One comment stated, "Scammers are getting smarter. I always double or triple check before sending out crypto." This sentiment reflects the need for heightened awareness.

  • Reliance on Wallet Features: Many argue that features like whitelisting withdrawal addresses are vital. "All wallets should have this feature active by default," urged a user.

  • Critique of User Behavior: Some expressed skepticism about how anyone could fall for such tactics. One pointed out, "If he was depositing to Binance, why not just scan the QR code or copy the address directly?"

Key Insights

  • ๐Ÿšจ Immediate Warning: Users need to double-check addresses when sending large amounts.

  • ๐Ÿ”’ Call for Better Features: Enhanced security measures like address whitelisting should be standard.

  • ๐Ÿค” User Vigilance Critical: Education on potential scams must be prioritized within the community.

With nearly $700,000 lost, this incident underscores the vulnerabilities in cryptocurrency transactions. As the industry evolves, staying informed and cautious is becoming increasingly crucial. Are current wallet security measures sufficient, or is more needed?

For more information on cryptocurrency safety protocols, visit CryptoBasics to enhance your awareness.