Recently, a hacker group focused on Call of Duty gamers who cheat has managed to steal Bitcoin from unsuspecting players. The cyber attack has affected a large number of individuals, with reports indicating an increasing number of victims. Even users who were utilizing the game’s software for legitimate reasons, such as reducing latency and using VPNs, were not safe from the theft.
Investigation Uncovers Extensive Data Theft
Investigations led by cheat code vendor PhantomOverlay discovered the malware responsible for stealing user data following unusual purchase patterns. Other cheat providers have also confirmed attacks within their communities. The hackers compromised a significant amount of personal information, with some users reporting losses from their Electrum Bitcoin wallets. While the exact amount of cryptocurrency stolen remains unknown, game developer Activision Blizzard is reportedly collaborating with cheat providers to assist affected users.
The breach has affected over 3.6 million Battlenet accounts, 561 thousand Activision accounts, and 117 thousand Elite PVPers accounts, as per current reports. However, doubts have been raised by PhantomOverlay regarding the accuracy of these figures, suggesting that the real numbers may be exaggerated. Ongoing investigations aim to clarify the full extent of the situation.
Gaming Platforms Vulnerable to Malicious Attacks
This is not the first instance where gaming platforms have been exploited by hackers for malicious purposes. In the past, hackers have disguised malware as cheat codes for popular games like Fortnite to steal Bitcoin wallet details. Fortnite players faced similar cyber attacks in 2018 and 2019, highlighting the continuous threat posed by hackers to the global gaming community.
This incident underscores the ongoing battle where cybercriminals take advantage of gaming vulnerabilities to financially target cheating players, exposing a darker aspect of the technological struggles within the gaming industry.
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