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Crypto Hack: 250 UK Victims Fall For Fake Bybit Demo Account Scam

UK victims lose $650K to fake Bybit demo accounts in crypto hack led by 'Ape 31', with ongoing investigations by blockchain expert ZachXBT.
Crypto Hack: 250 UK Victims Fall For Fake Bybit Demo Account Scam

Highlights

  • Over 250 UK victims lost $650K in a fake Bybit demo account scam, linked to scammer "Ape 31."
  • Ape 31 evaded capture by rotating deposit addresses, complicating efforts to trace stolen funds.
  • 2024 crypto hacks surged, with $409M in losses, including Bybit, BingX, and Banana Gun incidents.

In the last a few months, the UK has seen an attack of a major crypto hack which affected more than 250 people and the hackers stole $650,000. The scheme used fake Bybit demo accounts to entice the unwitting into the scam and offer them easy money. The fraudster, who became known as “Ape 31,” is still switching the deposit addresses and thus it is difficult to track down the lost funds.

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250 UK Victims Fall for Fake Bybit Demo Account

Blockchain expert ZachXBT has uncovered details of the crypto hack by analyzing 16 exchange deposit addresses linked to the scam. The addresses in a year received money from more than 250 victims and collected about $650,000. The victims were led to think that they were trading through genuine Bybit demo accounts and all along it was a fraud.

Another major problem in this crypto hack is the fact that Ape 31 alter the deposit addresses often, and this make it difficult to ascertain the overall magnitude of the entire operation. According to ZachXBT, the total stolen funds may be much higher since the scammer has been trying to avoid detection. He has, as a result reported his discovery to the police with the aim of identifying the movements of Ape 31 and stop further destructions.

Besides the fake Bybit demo account, Ape 31 also tried to perform the fraudulent over the counter (OTC) crypto trade. The scammer enticed a potential victim into joining a video call by pretending that they needed to finalize a legitimate business deal. 

However, the call was recorded and that clipping was released to the public and other victims of the scammer identified the voice. This recording according to the blockchain expert are linked to Ape 31 and numerous other fraud attempts, including the initial crypto hack.

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Wider Crypto Hack Trends: BingX and Banana Gun Incidents

The Bybit demo account scam alerted by the blockchain expert is part of a larger surge in crypto hacks across the industry. Recently, the BingX exchange suffered a massive breach, resulting in over $43 million in stolen altcoins. The hacker behind this crypto hack converted the stolen assets into Ethereum (ETH) and Binance Coin (BNB), making recovery efforts difficult. BingX’s breach stands as one of the largest hacks in recent months.

Similarly, the Banana Gun protocol fell victim to a hack, where $3 million was stolen. In a positive turn, the Banana Gun team has committed to refunding all 11 affected victims using funds from their treasury. 

These events underscore the growing threat of cryptocurrency hacks and scams targeting both centralized and decentralized platforms. According to data from Immunefi, cryptocurrency-related hacks resulted in $409 million in losses during the third quarter of 2024 alone.

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Kelvin Munene Murithi

Kelvin Munene is a crypto and finance journalist with over 5 years of experience, offering in-depth market analysis and expert commentary . With a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Actuarial Science from Mount Kenya University, Kelvin is known for his meticulous research and strong writing skills, particularly in cryptocurrency, blockchain, and financial markets. His work has been featured across top industry publications such as Coingape, Cryptobasic, MetaNews, Cryptotimes, Coinedition, TheCoinrepublic, Cryptotale, and Analytics Insight among others, where he consistently provides timely updates and insightful content. Kelvin’s focus lies in uncovering emerging trends in the crypto space, delivering factual and data-driven analyses that help readers make informed decisions. His expertise extends across market cycles, technological innovations, and regulatory shifts that shape the crypto landscape. Beyond his professional achievements, Kelvin has a passion for chess, traveling, and exploring new adventures.

Why trust CoinGape: CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
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