Go Phish: How This Bitcoin Investor Lost 17 BTC To An iPhone App

Tony "The Bull" Severino

1 year ago

3 mins read

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Bitcoin is once again making headlines everywhere, mostly for all the right reasons this time around. However, where there’s money to be made, there’s also scammers waiting in the shadows to steal funds whenever they can.

The latest situation involves a highly sophisticated replica of a popular Apple iPhone app, a malicious application from Apple’s App Store, and a now stolen 17 BTC.

Bitcoin Investor Has Half A Million Dollars Worth Of BTC Stolen

During the height of the 2017 bull market, one of the symbols that cryptocurrencies had “made it” was when Coinbase had been topping the Apple App Store for iOS devices for days on end. Investors were flocking to the platform in droves as Bitcoin FOMO took over.

These days, there’s much more variety out there, including more ways to buy or store cryptocurrencies beyond just Coinbase alone. The platform remains the most popular out there, set to go public within the next year or so.

Investors can also store their coins in third-party wallets, or use an app interface to interact with their hardware wallets, like Ledger or Trezor.

That’s exactly what Phillipe Christodoulou meant to do, but instead lost a staggering 17.1 BTC – worth over a half a million dollars – in a phishing scam.

The more expensive Bitcoin gets, the more scammers it attracts | Source: BTCUSD on TradingView.com

Beware Of Phishing Scams In Apple App Store, Social Media, And Elsewhere

Christodoulou downloaded a highly rated, five-star app from Apple’s App Store, the company’s flagship and regularly quality-controlled platform. Apple maintains certain standards, and works to prevent situations like this from happening.

But then why did it? Christodoulou is furious with the company and rightfully so. He is also demanding answers and justice.

“They betrayed the trust that I had in them,” he told The Washington Post. “Apple doesn’t deserve to get away with this.”

Scammers regularly pull this tactic with Apple’s App Store, and unfortunately, this application somehow snuck through. The app was posing as a Trezor app, bearing the company’s logo and all.

Related Reading | The Most Common Bitcoin Scams And How To Avoid Them

But after loading it with his life-savings, it wasn’t until later he had realized what had unfolded. The app was a phishing app, and now his 17.1 BTC are in the hands of a scammer.

Scams like this are unfortunately common wherever users aggregate and offer a back door to crypto assets. Even real, verified apps or in other situations, social media accounts, can still get hacked and result in a loss of coins.

It’s also important to always keep legitimate apps or wallets fully up to date, to avoid any loop holes or security vulnerabilities that have since been fixed, but must be installed through user intervention.

Featured Image From Deposit Photos, Charts From TradingView.com

Tony "The Bull" Severino

Tony "The Bull" Severino, CMT, is a distinguished figure in the cryptocurrency analysis sector, renowned for his in-depth technical expertise and innovative approach to market trends. As the Head of Research at NewsBTC, Tony leads a team dedicated to providing cutting-edge insights and forecasts, helping both novice and experienced traders navigate the complexities of the crypto market.
A seasoned Chartered Market Technician, Tony's prowess in identifying and capitalizing on market patterns is unmatched. His academic and professional journey in market analysis has firmly established him as a leading authority in technical trading strategies. Tony’s approach is heavily influenced by the principles of Elliott Wave Theory, a method known for its rigorous assessment of investor psychology and price movements.

Beyond his role at NewsBTC, Tony is the visionary founder of CoinChartist.io, an educational platform aimed at demystifying the nuances of cryptocurrency trading. CoinChartist.io serves as a valuable resource for traders seeking to enhance their technical analysis skills. The platform offers a range of learning tools and resources designed to empower traders with the knowledge to make informed trading decisions.

In addition to his educational initiatives, Tony is a prolific author and a dominant voice in the crypto community. He writes the CoinChartist VIP newsletter, a weekly dispatch that has become a staple among crypto enthusiasts, revered for its insightful analysis and actionable trading advice. This newsletter has consistently ranked as a best-seller on SubStack, boasting thousands of subscribers who rely on Tony’s expertise to guide their trading strategies.

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Before his ascent in the financial analysis world, Tony honed his skills in journalism. His background in this field has endowed him with a unique ability to present intricate market dynamics in a clear and compelling manner, making his insights highly sought after by a broad audience that ranges from casual readers to professional traders.
His professional affiliations underscore his commitment to excellence and continuous learning. As a partner of Elliott Wave International and TradingView, Tony collaborates with other leading experts to enhance his knowledge and skills. His active membership in the CMT Association further aligns him with the highest standards of industry practices and ethics.

Tony’s nickname, "The Bull," aptly reflects his aggressive and optimistic outlook on the cryptocurrency markets. His forecasts often anticipate significant upturns, earning him a reputation for bullish predictions that have frequently led to lucrative outcomes for those who follow his advice.

In summary, Tony "The Bull" Severino, CMT, is more than just a technical analyst; he is a mentor, educator, and innovator whose influence in the cryptocurrency space continues to grow. His dedication to advancing the understanding of market forces and his commitment to providing high-quality, reliable analysis make him a pivotal figure in the world of cryptocurrency trading.

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