I have an account with Binance where I had USDT 23,439. On Saturday 30/11/2024 at 7:11 pm (CY) I received an SMS with a withdrawal OTP and a note that if I had not made the request I should immediately call Binance at +44 203 608 9496, REF: 472B. The SMS came from Binance, as it was sent from the same number I had previously received official Binance communications on. I called the number and was connected to the Suspicious Activities department, where I spoke to Phillip Normann. He informed me that my account had been hacked from Madrid, Spain, and he needed to take steps to secure my assets. He didn’t ask for any details but guided me to open a Binance Web3 Wallet to transfer my assets for security. I followed his instructions and began receiving codes via SMS from Binance’s official thread. I created a Web3 Wallet and did a test transfer of 10 USDT, which was successful. I then transferred my entire 23,439.02609242 USDT into the Web3 Wallet. Phillip asked if I held crypto on other platforms, specifically mentioning Revolut. He claimed Binance operates Revolut's crypto wallet and warned that hackers could access my Revolut cryptos since my Binance account was compromised. He suggested I transfer my Revolut cryptos to the Web3 Wallet for security.
I double-checked the Web3 Wallet and initially couldn’t see the funds, but Phillip guided me on how to view them, and I saw them fine. He then recommended downloading Trust Wallet, assuring me it was owned by Binance and provided easier access to Web3 Wallet. I verified online that Trust Wallet is affiliated with Binance and felt reassured. I downloaded the app and created an account using my own credentials. I did not share any codes or passwords with Phillip. All codes I received came directly from Binance's SMS service, and I input them myself.
After setting up Trust Wallet, I received a code via Binance SMS, which I entered into Trust Wallet, and saw all my USDT funds reflected there. Phillip asked me to finalize the transfer from Revolut, but I requested to pause and call him later. For the next 15 minutes, I could see my USDT balance in both Trust Wallet and Web3 Wallet. At approximately 9:25 PM (Cyprus time), all my funds disappeared. I called the same number and spoke to Phillip again. He said the funds were temporarily blocked until I transferred my Revolut cryptos too. I informed him I had converted my Revolut crypto to euros and demanded to see my USDT funds. He told me to call back on Monday (2/12/2024) to resolve the issue with Binance’s technical team.
I asked him to confirm his identity and role at Binance, and he reaffirmed his position, claiming to be based in Malta. His English had a British accent. My funds are missing, and I am convinced I have been scammed. I only followed instructions received through what appeared to be Binance’s official SMS service, and I never shared sensitive information outside Binance. My total USDT balance of 23,439.02609242 has been reduced to zero.