Hackers Hack Bloomfield Township Man’s SIM Card, Steal $200,000 in Bitcoin

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BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) A Bloomfield Township victim was targeted by hackers who stole six digits of Bitcoin cryptocurrency.

According to police, the victim came forward on May 9 and lost $204,000 worth of Bitcoin cryptocurrency. They say his Coinbase account was hacked through a cell phone SIM swap.

Cell phones are everywhere these days. But if you store a list of passwords on your device, police say you risk being targeted by hackers.

People need to be a little more protective of their stuff, especially in today’s world, said Randy Neveu, a cryptocurrency investor.

On the streets of Bloomfield Township, people who use this popular avenue to invest say they are aware of the dangers and are actively taking steps to avoid them.

Password protection. I also use facial recognition from (Apple) products, Neveu said.

The crime prompted police to issue an urgent warning to be careful and not be an easy target for criminals.

The evidence that will be presented in this case is digital evidence, Bloomfield Township Police Officer Nick Soley said.

Soley says the specific theft known as SIM card swapping happened after an impostor tricked a cellphone retailer into thinking he was a victim and received a phone . Then this impostor uploaded the saved passwords to the phone.

Soley warns to keep password lists off your phone and to use face ID or fingerprint scanning as an alternative through official apps.

One of the things we’re really trying to do right now is not store those passwords on your phone, no matter how secure you think they are, he said.

So far, it’s unclear how the thief managed to get enough personal information about the victims to convince a retailer to issue them a new phone and then access Coinbase’s information.

Police say the case may involve accomplices from out of state or country.

It’s not like a crime scene where you can walk out and start scanning fingerprints. It takes time and we need to get cooperation through search warrants, Neveu said.

Police are also investigating another similar theft of over $1 million last July. If you have any information, call the Bloomfield Township Police Department at 248-433-7755.

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