American musician Garrett Dutton also known as G. Love reportedly lost 5.92 Bitcoin worth around $420,000 to $424,000, in a crypto scam. The scam involved a fake version of the Ledger Live app, which was available on the Apple App Store and looked very similar to the real one.
When setting up his new computer, he downloaded the app and was asked to enter his 24-word seed phrase. He entered it, thinking it was a normal step. However, this gave scammers full access to his crypto wallet.
Within minutes, all his Bitcoin was stolen. Blockchain investigator ZachXBT later tracked the stolen funds moving across multiple wallets and into exchange accounts. The case highlights how dangerous fake apps and phishing scams can be in the crypto world.
How the Scam Happened
The scam happened when Garrett Dutton was setting up a new computer. He searched for the official Ledger Live app on the Apple App Store and downloaded what he thought was the real app. However, it was actually a fake app made by scammers.
During the setup process, the app asked him to enter his 24-word seed phrase. He believed this was normal and part of the setup, so he entered it. This was the mistake that gave scammers full access to his crypto wallet.
Once they had the seed phrase, the attackers quickly took control of his account and transferred all the Bitcoin out. Within just a few minutes, his funds were completely stolen.
On-Chain Tracking and Fund Movement
Blockchain investigator ZachXBT quickly tracked the stolen Bitcoin on the blockchain. The stolen 5.92 BTC was moved very fast by the attacker through many different wallet addresses. This was done to make it harder to follow the money and hide where it was going.
Soon after, the funds were seen moving toward centralized exchange (CEX) deposit addresses. These are accounts on crypto exchanges where users can convert crypto into cash or other assets. Criminals often use this method to try to “clean” or cash out stolen funds.
Even though the transactions can be seen on the blockchain, recovering the money is still very difficult once it reaches these exchanges or gets mixed through multiple wallets.
Financial and Personal Impact
The stolen Bitcoin was a large part of Garrett Dutton’s long-term savings, which he had built since 2017 for his retirement. Losing it was a major financial setback for him. After the incident, Dutton openly accepted that it was his mistake.
He explained that the scam happened very quickly and he did not realize what was happening at the time. He also shared that even experienced users can be tricked by fake and realistic-looking apps.
His experience highlights how careful users need to be, especially when dealing with crypto wallets and sensitive information like seed phrases.
More: Nigel Farage Buys £2M Bitcoin as First UK MP Public Move
Security Concerns and Industry Response
This case has raised serious concerns about how apps are checked and approved on platforms like the Apple App Store. Even trusted stores can sometimes allow fake apps that look real but are designed to steal money, especially in crypto scams.
Experts say phishing scams are becoming more advanced and harder to detect. That’s why users need to stay very careful.
The most important rule in crypto security is simple: never share your seed phrase with any app, website or person. Real wallets or hardware devices will never ask for it online. Once shared, your funds can be stolen instantly and cannot be recovered.
