Fake AI Bot Tutorials Trick 224 Victims Into Deploying Drainers

Fake AI bot tutorials have become the crypto scammer's new weapon: 224 victims deployed their own drainers after following instructions that promised automatic profits. The case, uncovered by TRM, shows how the AI hype is being exploited to empty wallets before victims even realize what hit them.

The context: when AI became bait

The boom in AI trading bots has created the perfect breeding ground for deception. For months, scammers have been posting tutorials on social media and forums promising to set up a profitable bot in minutes. The victim, excited, follows the steps and signs transactions that actually grant malicious permissions. There's no hack: the victim themselves funds the contract that will drain their wallet.

The details: 224 victims and 274.60 ETH

According to TRM's report, between February and August 2024, operators tricked 224 victims into signing and funding malicious contracts disguised as AI bots. The forensic analysis firm traced 274.60 ETH (roughly $700,000 at current rates) to six operator addresses linked to the scam. The tutorials included step-by-step videos, fake screenshots, and promises of 10% daily returns. Victims not only lost their funds but also paid the gas fees to deploy the drainer, making recovery even harder.

The analysis: who wins and who loses?

The winners are the scammers, who have found in the AI craze a goldmine for automating deception at scale. The losers are novice users and, by extension, the credibility of the DeFi ecosystem. My take: social media platforms and exchanges should implement more aggressive warnings when they detect patterns of tutorials with links to contracts. Financial education isn't enough if the tools for signing transactions remain so opaque.

The implications: beyond the losses

This case sets a precedent: drainers no longer require hacking protocols, but convincing users to execute the code themselves. Regulators are expected to tighten rules on signing interfaces, and wallets may introduce clearer alerts. Moreover, the reputation of legitimate AI bots could suffer, slowing adoption in the crypto sector.

The next time you see a tutorial to "get rich with an AI bot," remember: if you have to sign a contract and pay gas to activate it, the only one getting rich is probably the scammer.

Source: The Defiant