A troubling case involving a stolen Bitcoin has sent shockwaves through the Chinese cryptocurrency scene. In 2024, a software engineer in Chengdu fell victim to a scam, losing 6 BTC to a group posing as female traders. The scammers lured the individual through a profile on X promising intimate encounters, leading to extortion under the guise of a sexual blackmail scheme.
The incident took place after extended online chats. The victim was drawn to a luxurious hotel, where the gang coerced him into transferring the Bitcoin by threatening to damage his reputation. Authorities are currently investigating the matter and caution cryptocurrency users against similar scams targeting holders.
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BTC Scam: The Gang, The Victim, and The Stolen Bitcoin
Days prior to the report, a Mandarin-speaking user, BTCconger, previously known as LisaaBuilder, made a scandalous promise online to spend the night with anyone possessing 0.1 BTC, requesting their wallet addresses.
The situation escalated with provocative posts, including a hotel photo featuring a condom and videos of her engaging in mundane activities like reading the Bitcoin white paper accompanied by a group of men. Allegations suggested she had made plans for meetups in Bangkok, yet one mentioned a possible absence.
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Unfortunately, it was during a meeting at the high-end hotel in Chengdu that this man became a victim. Rather than meeting BTCconger, he encountered “Bitcoin Cong’er.” Reportedly, the offenders produced false evidence to intimidate the victim, successfully extorting 6 BTC by means of a honeypot scheme.
This case caught the public’s eye partly because of its similarities to a viral social media spectacle. Gang members used the alias “Bitcoin Cong’er,” emulating BTCconger, which led to extensive scrutiny of her, despite no direct evidence linking to the criminal act.
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BTCconger later addressed the incident in a live stream with content maker Robert Lee, where she repudiated all allegations. The accusations suggested that the Chengdu incident occurred before her rebranding to BTCconger. She claimed that if she were guilty, she would face arrest and asserted having notarized documents to exonerate herself.
The Aftermath: Not Just About the Stolen BTC
Authorities are alerting investors of a rising trend involving scams that take advantage of the trust of crypto holders. The Chengdu case involved extensive grooming before the in-person attack, marking a deviation from typical online extortion tactics. Authorities urge users to verify identities and refrain from sharing personal information with unverified contacts.
The reach of BTCconger’s posts skyrocketed, accumulating 2 million views, reflecting the dangerous tactics at play, either for exposure or trickery. While some critics viewed it as savvy marketing, many recognized the grave risks involved.
In addition to the reputational threats, the theft of 6 BTC inflicted financial harm on the victim, a common tactic in crypto sextortion that uses personal humiliation to override logical judgment. The gang’s manipulation through fabricated evidence has severe psychological repercussions.
Though investigations are ongoing, BTCconger’s denials hinge on timing and her presence online, insisting that her shift to the BTCconger moniker postdates the Chengdu event.
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This case reveals vulnerabilities in cryptocurrency sectors, where anonymity and trust can be exploited maliciously.
As the police delve deeper, the distinction between online virality and genuine criminality continues to blur.
