Over 2,000 Australian-owned crypto wallets discovered by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have been hacked by foreign fraudsters, the Financial Review reported.
Part of a larger effort called Operation Spincaster, which seeks to fight cybercrime worldwide, this concerning find marks the latest accomplishment in the war against crypto crime.
Both the AFP and the Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3), which collaborates with law enforcement agencies from other governments to curb digital fraud and scams, have been the driving forces behind this operation respectively.
Compromised Crypto Wallets Tied To Several Exchanges
Based on the report, the compromised digital wallets have ties to several crypto exchanges, though it did not disclose in detail the names of the exchange.
Hackers have a way of getting though defenses and taking advantage of vulnerabilities. Once inside a system, they take control, leaving unsuspecting victims drained of their hard earned money.
News about bad actors being able to siphon off millions of dollars in cryptocurrencies from gullible consumers have been rampant, and the Australian police as well as other international authorities are always on the lookout for the next hack.
Total crypto market cap at $2.1 trillion on the daily chart: TradingView.com
The AFP has underlined the crucial requirement of people to boost their security protocols while making bitcoin transactions in order to avoid becoming victims of such frauds.
Given this revelation, the AFP is advising crypto users to stay alert and follow best standards for protecting their digital resources. Strong, distinctive passwords, two-factor authentication, and avoidance of unwanted emails can do the trick.
Data show that fraudsters are progressively preying on their next targets using advanced techniques, as the growth in bitcoin scams continue to cause paranoia Down Under.
AFP’s Continuous Efforts Against Cybercrime
The Australian Federal Police is not just concentrating on bitcoin scams but also on more general operations like ransomware and other kinds of digital fraud as part of its continuous attempts to fight cybercrime.
When it comes to curbing cybercrime, the aggressive actions being conducted by the AFP and worldwide collaboration are essential components. In an environment where the digital landscape is continuously shifting, law enforcement agencies have been using their approaches in order to protect the interests of both individuals and businesses.
The revelation of more than 2,000 bitcoin wallets that have been hacked highlights the urgent need for users of cryptocurrencies to improve their level of security and knowledge.
The Australian Federal Police is currently conducting investigations and operations with the objective of reducing the risks associated with digital fraud and safeguarding Australians from being susceptible to these sophisticated schemes.
Featured image from PreEmptive Solutions, chart from TradingView