Federal authorities revealed that malware hidden in eight different video games has compromised around 8,000 devices, allowing hackers to steal over $220,000 from approximately 80 cryptocurrency wallets. The FBI is currently tracking down victims as the investigation unfolds.
The scam, which spanned from May 2024 to February 2026, involved malicious software embedded within downloadable games. This software collected passwords, wallet credentials, browser data, and other sensitive information after installation, giving attackers unauthorized access to victims’ crypto accounts.
Gaming Platforms and Social Media Used in Operation
The malware was distributed through platforms likely including Steam, based on clues found in court documents. The FBI has named several games tied to the scheme, such as BlockBlasters, Chemia, Dashverse/DashFPS, Lampy, Lunara, PirateFi, and Tokenova.
PirateFi was removed from Steam after security experts identified it as a source of wallet-stealing malware, underlining how legitimate gaming marketplaces can be exploited for widespread cyberattacks.
According to federal filings, attackers also utilized social media channels like Discord, Telegram, X, and LinkedIn to market the infected games. Automated bots scoured online communities searching for people with valuable cryptocurrency holdings, targeting them with tailored messages to trick them into downloading the malware.
Zyaire Dontaevious Zamarion Wilkins, a 21-year-old from Florida, has been charged federally with conspiracy to obtain computer information for financial gain, accused of funding and promoting the operation.
The FBI continues to collect information from those who may have been affected and urges anyone who downloaded the implicated games to come forward.
