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A mysterious hacker group has released a malicious software that targets players cheating in the popular video game Call of Duty, resulting in unsuspecting players having their Bitcoin (BTC) assets stolen. The malware has affected hundreds of thousands of players, and reports indicate that the number of victims is on the rise. Despite the targeted nature of the attacks, some users were found to be using game software for legitimate purposes such as latency improvement and VPNs, yet they were still affected.
Thousands of Users’ Information Stolen According to Findings
Unauthorized purchase reports prompted the cheat code provider PhantomOverlay to investigate suspicious activities, leading to the discovery of the information-stealing malware. Rival cheat providers, including Elite PVPers, have also confirmed similar attacks targeting their users in recent days.
While the stolen data encompasses a range of personal information, some victims have reported their Electrum wallets being drained. Despite these findings, the total amount of cryptocurrency stolen has not been disclosed. It is among the information received that Activision Blizzard, the developer behind Call of Duty, is collaborating with cheat code providers to assist affected players.
The scale of compromised accounts is significant, with reports indicating that over 3.6 million Battlenet accounts, 561 thousand Activision accounts, and 117 thousand Elite PVPers accounts have been affected by the attacks. Amid ongoing investigations, PhantomOverlay has contested the reported number of hacked accounts, suggesting the figures could be inflated.
This hacking incident points to another example in the ongoing battle between hackers and players, where hackers target those cheating in games for financial gain.
Similar Incidents Have Occurred in the Past
The malicious use of game cheats is not a new phenomenon. In previous years, hackers had disguised malicious software as cheat codes for popular games like Fortnite, leading to the theft of Bitcoin wallet information.
In particular, Fortnite players were targeted by similar attacks both in 2018 and 2019, serving as a stark example of the persistent threat posed by malicious actors within the global gaming community.
