TrustWallet Twitter Phishing Attack LouBapMarketing

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Twitter user "LouBapMarketing" (formerly "DafiManiac0") reported that he lost $90,689.000248 USDT and $154,807.136786 USDC in a phishing attack. He provided blockchain transactions dated July 19th, 2021. He repeatedly requested help to recover his funds. It doesn't appear that any of his several tweets at the time received any response, and it seems unlikely that any of the stolen funds have been recovered.

About Lou Bap Marketing

LouBapMarketing was formerly known as DafiManiac0, a reference to his passion for the Dafi protocol. He first joined Twitter in March 2013. Presently, he appears to be running a business designing various graphics for the cryptocurrency space.

Create website, crypto projects, memes, pre sale, apps and evertyhing about GRAPHIC DESIGN

He appears to have had investments in both Dafi Protocol and Secret Network.

About TrustWallet

TrustWallet is a wallet available as a browser extension or mobile download for IOS or Android. The wallet was originally released in November 2017. TrustWallet was acquired by Binance on July 31, 2018.

The most trusted & secure crypto wallet.

Buy, store, collect NFTs, exchange & earn crypto. Join 25 million+ people using Trust Wallet.

Wallets within TrustWallet are typically secured by a 12 word seed phrase.

The Reality

TrustWallet warns about the dangers of sharing your seed phrase on their website.

Just like your bank account login or email credentials, your recovery phrase needs to be kept in a secure, hidden location. You need to write it on a piece of paper (or engrave it in metal) and ensure that the order of words is followed.

Cryptocurrency scammers have many elaborate ways to steal seed phrases of wallet users. One common tactic is to create a website which purports to allow you to connect your wallet, such as for support or to participate in an event. When an attempt is made to connect the user's wallet, the user will typically be greeted with an error connecting the wallet or see a transaction/wallet failure, and be given a request to enter their seed phrase to resolve the issue.

Many new cryptocurrency users will believe that the website is securely associated with their wallet, and that their seed phrase is only being used for the purposes of resolving the technical issue with their wallet. In reality, these websites typically send their seed phrase information directly to an attacker who can then drain all of their funds.

One or more individuals created a series of Twitter accounts which were designed to push users to use one of these websites. In this case, it appears there was an active attempt using the Twitter usernames:

• WaIIetHelpHQ, which substituted uppercase Is for the lowercase Ls which are present in the standard username.
• Cihanba23827631.
• MetaMaskMod.
• Nehar98004383.

https://twitter.com/Stayhumble786/status/1417225489639428101

https://twitter.com/Stayhumble786/status/1417224783692025863

https://twitter.com/loubapmarketing/status/1418160593962475529

The scheme is described by another user kfrazine, who almost fell for it. Multiple accounts on Twitter would all mention that the user shouldn't mention MetaMask in their tweet, and to follow an account "@metamaskmod", which was supposed to provide support.

I asked a question with MM in it.. and I got 3 people write me tell me not to say MM in tweet and to follow this @metamaskmod ... When I did that...and messaged them they asked me to click a link ( that asked me for my 12 word seed... ) CRAZY how tricky they try to be

Twitter account Nehar98004383 was not a verified account, and asked for money. TBD there are limited details here.

"It is not verified, not offical from @TrustWalletApp and they ask money. So probably is your the scammer. People report this NEHAR profile."

"ya i just figgered out that the 3 that are trying to Force me to click the link and give the seeds... are all trying to trick me.. 0 following 168 followers.. .. X 2 of them... man .... they are convincing"

What Happened

The Twitter user was phished and gave up access to their wallet which contained a total of $250k in USDC and USDT.

Key Event Timeline - TrustWallet Twitter Phishing Attack LouBapMarketing

Date	Event	Description
July 19th, 2021 1:44:06 AM MDT	Tether Tokens Transfered	A blockchain transaction occurred for 90,689.000248 Tether from LouBapMarketing's tron wallet to the thief's wallet.
July 19th, 2021 2:20:12 AM MDT	USDC Tokens Transfered	A blockchain transaction occurred for 154,807.136786 USDC from LouBapMarketing's ethereum wallet to the thief's wallet.
July 19th, 2021 2:50:00 PM MDT	Twitter Warning By Kfrazine	Twitter user kfrazine was able to avoid falling for a similar fraud and warned other users. He says "man .... they are convincing".
July 22nd, 2021 1:15:00 AM MDT	Request For Help From Justin Sun	Lou Bap Marketing (DafiManiac0 at the time) reports their theft on Twitter, attempting to get assistance from Justin Sun.
July 22nd, 2021 1:18:00 AM MDT	Request For Help From Trust Wallet	Lou Bap Marketing attempts to get assistance from Trust Wallet.
July 22nd, 2021 1:44:00 AM MDT	Another Request For Help From Trust Wallet	Lou Bap Marketing again attempts to get assistance from Trust Wallet.
July 22nd, 2021 1:48:00 AM MDT	Multiple Requests For Help From Atomic Wallet and Justin Sun	Lou Bap Marketing attempting to get assistance from Atomic Wallet and Justin Sun by posting the same message 3 separate times in the same minute.
July 22nd, 2021 1:53:00 AM MDT	Request For Help From trondao	Lou Bap Marketing attempts to get assistance from Twitter user @trondao.
July 22nd, 2021 1:55:00 AM MDT	Request For Help From CryptoMichNL	Lou Bap Marketing attempts to get assistance from Twitter user @CryptoMichNL.
July 22nd, 2021 2:33:00 AM MDT	Request For Help From TheMoonCarl	Lou Bap Marketing attempts to get assistance from Twitter user @TheMoonCarl.
July 22nd, 2021 2:34:00 AM MDT	First Twitter Help Request To MartiniGuyYT	Lou Bap Marketing attempts to get assistance from Twitter user @MartiniGuyYT. They again mention that the hack was for 250k a few days ago and provide a transaction on the Tron blockchain.
July 22nd, 2021 3:02:00 AM MDT	Second Twitter Help Request To MartiniGuyYT	Lou Bap Marketing again tries to get the help of "Mr. Martini".
July 22nd, 2021 3:16:00 AM MDT	Multiple Requests For Help On Twitter	Lou Bap Marketing attempts to get assistance from Twitter users @eddieoz and @bitdov. The same information is included.
July 22nd, 2021 3:32:00 AM MDT	Twitter Help Request To amanusk_	Lou Bap Marketing attempts to get assistance from popular blockchain researcher amanusk_. They mention the same information that the hack was for 250k a few days ago and provide a transaction on the tron blockchain.
July 22nd, 2021 3:39:00 AM MDT	Multiple Requests For Help On Twitter	Lou Bap Marketing continues to attempt to get assistance from popular blockchain researcher amanusk_ as well as various other Twitter users by posting the same Tweet multiple times.
July 22nd, 2021 3:43:00 AM MDT	Lou Bap Marketing Contacts Scammer	Lou Bap Marketing sends a private message to (what's believed to be) a scam account, which has since been suspended, in an attempt to get help.
July 22nd, 2021 4:46:00 AM MDT	Nehar98004383 Scammer	Lou Bap Marketing appears to have had a confrontation with a Twitter scammer following the incident.
July 22nd, 2021 5:27:00 AM MDT	Another Twitter Request For Help	Another Tweet tags @AtomicWallet, @TrustWalletApp, and @justinsuntron.
July 22nd, 2021 5:35:00 AM MDT	Third Twitter Help Request To MartiniGuyYT	Another Tweet is sent in response to @MartiniGuyYT.
July 22nd, 2021 10:20:00 AM MDT	Another Twitter Request For Help	Having no response yet from amanusk_, they then reach out to Twitter users @TheMoonCarl, @MartiniGuyYT, and Justin Sun, the creator of the tron blockchain.
July 22nd, 2021 1:17:00 PM MDT	Yet Another Request For Help	Having not gotten any response from amanusk_, LouBapMarketing then requests the help of famous American entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano, this time sharing a transaction on the ethereum blockchain.
January 16th, 2022 2:47:00 AM MST	Report On Scam Group	LouBapMarketing reports on a "fake and scam group from dafi protocol with a fake website" to Telegram.

Technical Details

A history of connected accounts can be uncovered through Twitter, which suggests multiple accounts colluded together. From the available information, it appears that they would trick potential victims into visiting an official support website for their wallet, targeting both MetaMask and TrustWallet users. The names of the official accounts mimicked legitimate sounding names. Users were provided the same information from multiple accounts, increasing it's credibility. Once users visited that website, they would be tricked into providing their seed phrase, which could then be used to drain their account.

This section includes specific detailed technical analysis of any security breaches which happened. What specific software vulnerabilities contributed to the problem and how were they exploited?

Did it involve Twitter account Nehar98004383?

"It is not verified, not offical from @TrustWalletApp and they ask money. So probably is your the scammer. People report this NEHAR profile."

Total Amount Lost

The total loss breaks down as follows:

• 90,689.000248 USDT (Tether) from LouBapMarketing's Tron wallet.
• 154,807.136786 USDC from LouBapMarketing's Ethereum wallet.

The total amount lost adds up to 245496.137034, which has been estimated at $245,000 USD.

How much was lost and how was it calculated? If there are conflicting reports, which are accurate and where does the discrepancy lie?

Immediate Reactions

There don't appear to have been any reactions between the transfers being made on July 19th and a large series of Twitter posts on July 22nd. TBD check more history on Twitter.

"I got hacked (phishing ?) 250k few days ago FROM @AtomicWallet AND @TrustWalletApp and these are the transaction. [Can anyone] help me if I have chances to recover it? I'M DEVASTED." "Any tip what should I do?"

Warning By kfrazine

Twitter user kfrazine was able to avoid falling for a similar fraud and warned other users.

ya i just figgered out that the 3 that are trying to Force me to click the link and give the seeds... are all trying to trick me.. 0 following 168 followers.. .. X 2 of them... man .... they are convincing

Requests For Help On Twitter

loubapmarketing repeatedly requested help via Twitter in a series of Tweets from 1:15 AM to 3:39 AM MDT on July 22nd.

I got hacked (phishing ?) 250k few days ago FROM @AtomicWallet AND @TrustWalletApp and these are the transaction . Is anyone can help me if I have chances to recover it? I'M DEVASTED.

I got hacked (phishing ?) 250k few days ago FROM @AtomicWallet AND @TrustWalletApp and these are the transaction . Is anyone can help me if I have chances to recover it? I'M DEVASTED.  any tip what to do MR MARTINI pls?

Mr Martini, I got hacked (phishing ?) 250k few days ago FROM @AtomicWallet AND @TrustWalletApp and these are the transaction. Is anyone can help me if I have chances to recover it? I'M DEVASTED. any tip what to do pls?  

Alguma ajuda pfv , fui hackeado I got hacked (phishing ?) 250k few days ago FROM @AtomicWallet AND @TrustWalletApp and these are the transaction . Is anyone can help me if I have chances to recover it? I'M DEVASTED.

Any tip what should  I do ???pls I got hacked (phishing ?) 250k few days ago FROM @AtomicWallet AND @TrustWalletApp  and these are the transaction . Is anyone can help me if I have chances to recover it? I'M DEVASTED.

I got hacked (phishing ?) 250k few days ago FROM @AtomicWallet AND @TrustWalletApp and these are the 2 transactionS . Is anyone can help me if I have chances to recover it? I'M DEVASTED.

Replying to @TheMoonCarl

I got hacked (phishing ?) 250k few days ago FROM @AtomicWallet AND @TrustWalletApp

and these are the transaction. Is anyone can help me if I have chances to recover it? I'M DEVASTED. #TRON #TRX

@justinsuntron

Ultimate Outcome

While LouBapMarketing reached out to multiple celebrities on Twitter, it is unclear what law enforcement entities have been contacted, and whether any investigation may be underway.

The account WaIIetHelpHQ was ultimately suspended. The accounts MetaMaskMod, Nehar98004383, and Cihanba23827631 were deleted.

LouBapMarketing ultimately switched his Twitter account handle from DafiManiac0 to LouBapMarketing

Total Amount Recovered

There do not appear to have been any funds recovered in this case.

Ongoing Developments

While LouBapMarketing reached out to multiple celebrities on Twitter, it is unclear what law enforcement entities have been contacted, and whether any investigation may be underway.

LouBapMarketing continues to take extra time to warn others. For example, in January 2022, LouBapMarketing reported on a "fake and scam group from dafi protocol with a fake website".

General Prevention Policies

It appears that the wallet worked on the basis of requesting a seed phrase. When installing a new wallet, it is important to ensure that the wallet comes from an official source. As even official sources could be tampered with, it is best practice to use a wallet with a smaller amount of money initially, and to keep the majority of funds fully offline whenever possible. Using hardware wallets or multi-signature setups can further reduce the risk. With a hardware wallet, the seed phrase should only be entered in separate hardware, which is significantly more expensive and difficult to tamper with or forge. With a multi-signature setup, you can use a combination of different wallets that all must sign a transaction, meaning that all keys would need to be breached simultaneously to perform an attack.

Once an attack has happened, it is important that the wallet addresses get flagged as soon as possible, so funds can be returned if the thief decides to cash them out through a compliant exchange. Filing a police report is important as most exchanges will only freeze and return funds at the request of law enforcement.

Individual Prevention Policies

Private keys can be obtained through seed phrases, mnemonics, private key files, mobile synchronization screens, wallet export features, wallet backups, etc... Never ever send these to anyone else who you do not intend to allow to take all of your money. Attackers will use a wide variety of tactics to convince you like pretending to be your wallet software, pretending they work for the wallet software, or asking you to screen share. Don't fall for them.

Every approval on Web3 is an opportunity to lose all of the funds present in your wallet. Take the time to review the transaction in full. Fully check over the balance, permissions, and entire address which you are interacting with. Do not trust that your clipboard or any website front-end is guaranteed to provide an accurate address or transaction status. Always perform a test transaction prior to the first high-value transaction in any session.

Store the majority of funds offline. By offline, it means that the private key and/or seed phrase is exclusively held by you and not connected to any networked device. Examples of offline storage include paper wallets (seed phrase or key written down and deleted from all electronic media), hardware wallets, steel wallet devices, etc...

For the full list of how to protect your funds as an individual, check our Prevention Policies for Individuals guide.

Platform Prevention Policies

Never take for granted the limited knowledge of users of your service and their tendency to skip past provided information. It is recommended to design a simple tutorial and quiz for new users which explains the basics of seed phrases, strong password generation, secure two-factor authentication, common fraud schemes, how ponzi schemes work, as well as other risks which are unique to the cryptocurrency space. This tutorial and quiz should ensure their understanding and be a standard part of the sign-up or download process which is difficult or impossible to skip.

For the full list of how to protect your funds as a financial service, check our Prevention Policies for Platforms guide.

Regulatory Prevention Policies

Create a standard tutorial and quiz for all new cryptocurrency participants, which is required to be completed once per participant. This tutorial and quiz should cover the basics of proper seed phrase protection, strong password generation, secure two-factor authentication, common fraud schemes, how to detect and guard against phishing attacks, how ponzi schemes work, as well as other risks which are unique to the cryptocurrency space.

For the full list of regulatory policies that can prevent loss, check our Prevention Policies for Regulators guide.