Forbes Impersonators Target BAYC Holders, Attempt to Steal Ape

In a recent incident, Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) holders have fallen victim to scammers masquerading as Forbes journalists, attempting to orchestrate interviews as a guise for nefarious activities. One BAYC owner, known as "Crumz," shared his harrowing encounter with a scammer posing as Robert LaFanco, a legitimate Forbes editor.

The imposter initiated contact through a fake Forbes journalist account, offering an interview opportunity for an upcoming article on BAYC. Despite encountering red flags, such as the use of a non-premium Zoom account and a request to employ a separate recorder bot, Crumz proceeded with the interview. During the conversation, the scammer persuaded Crumz to grant access to record the interview, a move that would prove to be a distraction tactic.

As the interview unfolded, the imposter cunningly suggested that Crumz retrieve a banana for a photo. It became evident later that this was a ploy to divert Crumz's attention from his computer, providing the scammer an opportunity to take control and pilfer his valuable NFT assets. However, Crumz thwarted the attempt by remaining vigilant and refusing to comply with the distraction.

Crumz recounted the incident, stating, "I muted my screen and just waited by the screen, and sure enough, they started to control my screen. I stopped them when they went on delegate.cash." This quick thinking and awareness helped Crumz evade what could have been a disastrous outcome.

The fraudulent activities extend beyond this singular case, with other BAYC community members reporting similar encounters with the bogus Forbes editor. Crypto casino Rollbit partner, borowik.eth, issued a warning to his substantial Twitter following, identifying the spurious account and cautioning against falling victim to the scam.

This incident reflects a growing trend where scammers, often adopting BAYC profile pictures on social platforms, employ sophisticated tactics to deceive NFT holders. The community is urged to exercise heightened vigilance and skepticism when approached for interviews, ensuring the legitimacy of the individuals involved. The intersection of the NFT space and cyber threats underscores the importance of robust security measures to safeguard valuable digital assets.