An Ethereum user lost 4.556 ETH, worth over $12.4 million, after accidentally sending funds to a fake address created by hackers in an “address poisoning” scam.
According to analyzed data, the attacker created a wallet address with the same starting and ending characters as the legitimate Galaxy Digital receiving address. Then, the hacker sent small transactions into the victim’s wallet to make this fake address appear in the transaction history, making it look familiar and trustworthy.
Due to frequent transaction habits and the desire to act quickly, the victim opened the transaction history, copied the fake address without checking the entire string of characters. This copy–paste mistake caused all 4.556 ETH to be transferred directly into the attacker’s wallet.
Address poisoning scams are increasing in the crypto space, as hackers exploit users’ tendency to only check the first and last few characters of a wallet address. Previously, at the end of 2025, another investor lost up to $50 million in a similar manner, even after attempting to transfer a small amount first. This initial test transaction was exploited by hackers to create a fake address that closely resembled the real one, leading the victim to send the remaining funds to the wrong address.
Experts advise users not to copy addresses from transaction history but to verify the entire wallet address before sending funds. Additionally, using ENS or saving trusted addresses in a wallet’s contact list can reduce risks. Some investors also suggest splitting large transactions into smaller parts instead of transferring all funds at once to limit potential losses in case of errors.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Ethereum falls below $2,200; 24-hour drop of 1.86%
Gate News message, April 12, market data shows that Ethereum has fallen below the $2,200 level, with a 24-hour drop of 1.86%.
GateNews45m ago
ETH 跌破 2200 USDT
Gate News bot 消息，Gate 行情显示，ETH 跌破 2200 USDT，现价 2194.07 USDT。
CryptoRadar50m ago
Ethereum Foundation Dumps $2.8M ETH for DAI, Halts Staking
The Ethereum Foundation converted 1,250 ETH into $2.80 million in DAI and ceased staking activities shortly after a record $46M stake. This shift, without public explanation, raises questions about their treasury management strategy and priorities.
LiveBTCNews3h ago
BTC is quoted at about $71,646, up about 6.1% from $76,000; ETH is quoted at about $2,215
Gate News update, April 12, BTC’s current price is about $71,646, up about 6.1% from $76,000; ETH’s current price is about $2,215, up about 8% from $2,400.
GateNews4h ago
NewsAlert: Trump Issues Iran Ultimatum – How BTC, ETH, And XRP is Reacting
Trump raised the temperature again with a fresh Iran deadline and warnings of overwhelming force. The rhetoric was extreme, and markets treated it as immediate macro risk.
To be precise, widely cited reports quote Trump saying Iran could be destroyed “in one night” if no deal is reached, not
LiveBTCNews5h ago
Ethereum New Users Jump 82 Percent In Q1
Ethereum has started the year with strong momentum, and the latest data confirms it. New users on the network surged sharply during the first quarter. This rise signals renewed interest across the broader crypto ecosystem. It also reflects growing confidence in blockchain-based platforms.
Data
Coinfomania5h ago
