Over Half a Million Dollars Drained Through Fake Signature Authorization on aEthUSDT

Another wallet has fallen victim to signature-based theft, with attackers making off with approximately $563,590 worth of aEthUSDT tokens through a deceptive “approval” signature scheme.

According to findings from Scam Sniffer, the incident highlights a critical vulnerability in how users interact with blockchain authorizations. The victim signed what appeared to be a standard transaction, only to discover their aEthUSDT holdings—totaling close to the $560,000 mark—were systematically drained from their account.

How the Attack Unfolded

This type of exploit leverages a common security oversight: users approving transactions without fully understanding the permissions they’re granting. Rather than transferring tokens directly, scammers request signature-based authorizations that effectively grant them unlimited access to specified assets in the victim’s wallet.

The Real Risk

What makes these attacks particularly insidious is their subtlety. Unlike traditional phishing attempts, malicious authorization schemes don’t immediately trigger alarm bells. The victim may not realize their funds have been compromised until well after the damage is done. For holders of assets like aEthUSDT, which bridge multiple protocols, the risk surface expands considerably.

Why This Matters

Incidents like this underscore why careful scrutiny of any signature request—regardless of source—is non-negotiable. Even seemingly routine approvals can become doorways for sophisticated theft operations targeting substantial holdings.