Scammers exploited a data leak in Kent, England, to steal $1.2 million from nine victims using fake police reports. Fraudsters accessed personal data and created counterfeit Action Fraud reports, then posed as law enforcement to trick victims into believing they were under investigation.
Victims received calls from fake “security officers” claiming to be from their crypto wallet provider, coercing them into revealing their seed phrases. This allowed scammers to access and drain their wallets. Authorities warn against sharing sensitive information over the phone.
Kent Police have urged affected individuals to report incidents without fear of embarrassment, emphasizing that scammers use urgency to manipulate victims. Detective Sergeant Darryll Paulson advised people to verify identities before acting on security-related claims.
To prevent further losses, crypto investors are reminded never to share their seed phrases and to remain vigilant against fraudulent schemes. Law enforcement continues investigating the breach and its impact on affected residents.
