In a surprising turn of events, the perpetrator behind the alleged $68 million Wrapped Bitcoin (wBTC) scam has returned $153,000 worth of Ether to the victim, signaling a potential willingness to negotiate. The victim, identified by their account ending in “8fD5,” engaged in communication with the attacker through blockchain messages, offering a 10% bounty for returning the majority of the funds. Despite the small percentage returned, this gesture opens a window for potential resolution and recovery of the stolen assets.
Blockchain data reveals a dialogue between the victim and the attacker, with the latter requesting a Telegram username for further negotiation. This interaction sheds light on the complexity of the situation, with the attacker possibly seeking to rectify the situation amidst growing scrutiny. The negotiation unfolds against the backdrop of an address-poisoning attack, a tactic used to deceive victims into sending funds to malicious addresses.
The victim’s inadvertent transfer of 1,155 wBTC, resulting from an “address poisoning” transaction, underscores the sophisticated nature of the scam. This incident highlights the importance of vigilance in verifying transaction details to prevent falling victim to similar schemes. While the return of a fraction of the stolen funds offers a glimmer of hope, the broader implications of such cyber threats continue to raise concerns within the cryptocurrency community.
