Call of Duty Cheaters' Cryptocurrency Millions Drained by Malware

A sophisticated malware campaign targeting Call of Duty cheaters has compromised millions of accounts, draining cryptocurrency from victims' wallets. Cybercriminals are using malicious software to steal login credentials before publishing them online, while also infecting computers with crypto-stealing malware. The threat, uncovered by VX Underground, poses a significant risk to the security of gamers who have downloaded cheats for the popular first-person shooter game.

Cybercriminals Target Call of Duty Cheat Users with Cryptocurrency-Stealing Malware, Compromising Millions of Accounts

A sophisticated malware campaign has been targeting Call of Duty gamers who have downloaded cheats for the popular first-person shooter game, compromising the credentials of more than 4.9 million accounts and potentially exposing them to the theft of cryptocurrency, according to cybersecurity researchers.

The malware attack has been uncovered by malware sleuth VX Underground, which revealed that an unknown entity is using malicious software to steal login credentials from cheaters before publishing them online. The perpetrators have also infected victims' computers with crypto-draining malware that can steal bitcoin from Electrum wallets.

The malware campaign was first detected by Call of Duty cheat provider Phantom Overlay, which received reports from users who noticed unauthorized purchases being made from their accounts. Phantom Overlay operates a marketplace where Call of Duty gamers can purchase cheats, such as aimbot and player detection behind walls.

VX Underground reported that the malware's impact is far-reaching, affecting not only Call of Duty accounts but potentially also other gaming and financial accounts. The compromised accounts include an estimated 3,662,627 Battlenet accounts, 561,183 Activision accounts, 117,366 Elitepvpers accounts, 572,831 UnknownCheats accounts, and 1,365 Phantom Overlay accounts, totaling 4,915,372 compromised accounts.

"Well, they're presumably stealing more than just their Call of Duty-related accounts," VX Underground tweeted. "Being a cheater does not mean you should have your wallet drained. Or maybe some disagree ¯_(ツ)_/¯"

Interestingly, in a "bizarre twist of fate," VX Underground revealed that video game company Activision Blizzard is collaborating with cheat providers to assist users who have been infected with the malware due to the widespread impact of the attack.

VX Underground also clarified that not all of the compromised accounts belong to cheaters, as some users were using software for latency improvement, controller boosting, and VPNs.

The nature of the crypto-draining malware, including the amount of cryptocurrency stolen and the delivery methods used, is still under investigation by VX Underground.

Phantom Overlay, Elitepvpers, and Activision Blizzard have been contacted by Protos for comment, but no response has been received as of this writing.

This malware campaign serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with downloading cheats and unauthorized software. Gamers and users are strongly advised to exercise caution when downloading files from untrusted sources and to prioritize strong cybersecurity measures to protect their personal and financial data.