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Your life savings could be gone in one click: How a fake crypto app bypassed Apple's security

More than 50 victims lost about $9.5 million after downloading a malicious app that impersonated Ledger Live, investigators said.

  • On Tuesday, onchain investigator ZachXBT reported a malicious Ledger Live app on the Apple App Store facilitated about $9.5 million in crypto thefts from more than 50 victims between April 7 and April 13.
  • Victims were tricked into entering recovery phrases into the fraudulent application, granting attackers full access to their digital wallets, with three individuals losing seven-figure sums including $3.23 million in USDT stolen on April 9.
  • Blockchain investigator ZachXBT traced the stolen funds to KuCoin deposit addresses associated with AudiA6, a crypto mixing service, while one victim lost 5.9 BTC—his entire savings accumulated over a decade.
  • Apple removed the app following reports, though the company declined to comment on how it passed review, while CoinDesk noted the incident 'may form the basis for a class-action lawsuit.'
  • Crypto investors lost around $17 billion to scams in 2025, highlighting a persistent industry threat, while separate investigations recently uncovered data-harvesting apps like Freecash targeting users on TikTok.
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[Digital Daily Reporter Kim Moon-ki] The Apple App Store, which has long positioned itself as a "sanctuary of security" backed by a closed ecosystem and strict review systems, has degenerated into an outpost for virtual asset phishing crimes. It has been revealed that a malicious app impersonating Ledger, a famous hardware wallet manufacturer, effortlessly breached Apple's surveillance network and was registered, stealing astronomical assets amo…

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Coin Desk broke the news in Manila, Philippines (the) on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
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