A Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) NFT owner, known as ‘Crumz’, narrowly escaped a sophisticated scam that involved an impersonator posing as a Forbes journalist. The scammer, pretending to be Robert LaFanco, a real Forbes editor, contacted Crumz offering an interview about Bored Ape Yacht Club tokens. During the purported interview, the scammer tried to manipulate Crumz into granting access to his computer, which could have resulted in the loss of valuable digital assets.
Crumz detailed the incident, stating that the scammer asked him to click a button to allow access to record the interview. Despite some red flags, such as the use of a non-premium Zoom account and a separate recorder bot, Crumz initially complied. Towards the end of the interview, the scammer requested Crumz to retrieve a banana, ostensibly to say something that resembled his ape NFT. This request was later realized to be a distraction technique aimed at taking Crumz away from his computer to gain control of it. However, Crumz avoided leaving his computer and observed the scammers trying to control his screen.
Crypto casino Rollbit partner ‘@3orovik’ and BAYC community member Laura Rod also reported similar encounters with fake Forbes editors attempting to scam NFT owners. These incidents highlight an emerging trend of sophisticated scams targeting high-value digital asset owners. Industry observers have noted that these scammers often use BAYC profile pictures on platforms like Twitter, adding a layer of perceived legitimacy to their fraudulent activities.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided in this article is based on the referenced research articles. It is essential to conduct further research and analysis before making any investment decisions. The cryptocurrency market is highly volatile, and investors should exercise caution and consult with financial professionals before engaging in cryptocurrency trading or investment activities.
