When we looked into this case, it became clear how scammers can exploit trust and technology to steal funds. The scam began with a phone call from someone pretending to be from Coinbase, using the number +1 (615) 619-2076. They claimed the victim’s account was under attack and guided them to transfer funds to a “secure” wallet. The funds, however, went straight to the scammer’s wallets: Bitcoin addresses bc1qzf84q66jk7ta6pa8jurm4lhntkwr2eu5chsdxv and bc1qxs3w9s089edxahc43p2xj95v2tekz56e0qad0q, and Ethereum addresses 0xDfBD7341a17f4f6FbE106571a32EB6Ee833d9212 and 0x5cad1dd3ff9b037bafb8827a884a781d7927fa56. While no specific scam website was involved here, the scam relied on fake verification calls, phishing emails, and a convincing impersonation of Coinbase.

The scammers tricked the victim into believing they were securing their funds. In reality, they directed them to create wallets controlled by the scammers. These wallets were then emptied within minutes, with $47,000 worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum disappearing. The scammer knew exactly what screens the victim would see during the process, which suggests they had already gained access to the victim’s email. This phishing attack began with a verification code request from Yahoo, which gave the scammers the access they needed.

We investigated the cryptocurrency transactions, tracked the cash-out wallets, and prepared a detailed report. The victim also contacted the police in Tennessee and shared our findings. The law enforcement officers seemed cooperative, but the recovery of funds depends on further actions in the investigation.

The evidence in this case clearly points to a scam. Everything about the situation, from the convincing phone call to the immediate forwarding of funds, shows careful planning. This situation reminds us how important it is to verify anyone asking for your financial information or access codes. If you ever receive similar calls or emails, stop and double-check the legitimacy of the request. Never share verification codes with anyone over the phone.

We believe raising awareness about this scam can help others avoid falling into the same trap. If you or someone you know has been targeted by similar schemes, share your experience and help us warn others.