Bitcoin wallet linked to Mt. Gox hack draws attention from Scammers
80K BTC wallet targeted by fraud
A dormant Bitcoin wallet linked to the infamous collapse of the Mt. Gox exchange is once again in the spotlight—this time as a potential target of suspected scammers. The wallet, which holds nearly 80,000 BTC (approximately $8.7 billion at current prices), received a suspicious transaction aimed at its owner, raising concerns about a new wave of cyber fraud.
According to Decrypt, the activity was first detected by BitMEX Research, which flagged a transaction sent to the address 1FeexV6bAHb8ybZjqQMjJrcCrHGW9sb6uF. The transaction contained an OP_RETURN field—a mechanism that allows users to embed arbitrary data into the Bitcoin blockchain. In this case, the field included a link to a questionable website.
Phishing site and BitMEX warning
The website claims the wallet is “lost or abandoned” and that a “client” has taken “constructive possession” of it. It also alleges to be operated by Saloman Brothers, a defunct Wall Street investment bank—immediately casting doubt on its legitimacy. BitMEX researchers warned on X (formerly Twitter) that the site is likely part of a phishing scheme designed to collect personal information from the wallet’s true owner.
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“This appears to be part of an ongoing Bitcoin scam,” BitMEX stated, adding that similar transactions have recently targeted addresses dating back to 2011.
Wallet history and risks amid network changes
The wallet in question is legendary in crypto circles. It received 79,956 BTC in 2011, shortly after the Mt. Gox hack—still considered the largest cryptocurrency theft in history. The Japan-based Mt. Gox exchange lost a staggering 850,000 BTC across a series of breaches before shutting down in 2014. Japanese authorities later managed to recover approximately 140,000 BTC for creditor compensation, but the majority of the stolen funds remain untouched in addresses like this one.
In 2021, a rehabilitation plan was approved to reimburse around 90% of the recovered assets. However, most of the originally stolen coins remain dormant, making them attractive targets for fraudsters.
With an upcoming Bitcoin Core update set to remove limits on OP_RETURN data fields, experts warn users to stay vigilant against scams exploiting blockchain transparency for malicious purposes.
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