Fake Zoom Calls Used to Steal Crypto Founders’ Data

At least three crypto founders have recently thwarted an alleged attempt by North Korean hackers to steal sensitive data through fake Zoom calls.

Nick Bax, a member of the white hat hacker group Security Alliance, warned in an 11 March X (formerly known as Twitter) post that this tactic has already led to millions in losses for unsuspecting victims.

The scheme typically begins with an offer for a meeting or partnership.

Once the call starts, the scammers claim to have audio issues while displaying a stock video of an uninterested venture capitalist.

They then send a link to a new call, setting the stage for further deception.

More Crypto Founders Stepped Out to Detail Their Experiences

Perhaps prompted by the post, several crypto founders also shared their encounters with the scam.

Giulio Xiloyannis, co-founder of blockchain gaming platform Mon Protocol, said scammers attempted to deceive him and his head of marketing with a fake partnership meeting.

The ruse became apparent when, at the last moment, he was asked to join a Zoom link that falsely claimed audio issues, pressuring him to install malware.

David Zhang, co-founder of US venture-backed stablecoin project Stably, was also targeted.

The scammers initially used his Google Meet link but later fabricated an excuse about an internal meeting, urging him to switch to their link instead.

Zhang noted:

“The site acted like a normal Zoom call. I took the call on my tablet though, so not sure what the behavior would’ve been on desktop.”

Melbin Thomas, founder of decentralised AI platform Devdock AI, reported a similar experience and expressed uncertainty about whether his systems remained secure.

Meanwhile, Beniamin Mincu, known for his work on Elrond and its rebranding to MultiversX, shared his own insights into how the scam unfolded, further highlighting the growing threat these attacks pose to the crypto industry.