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Feds arrest Florida man over malware hidden in video games
Prosecutors allege the scheme infected about 8,000 devices, accessed roughly 80 crypto wallets, and stole at least $220,000 from May 2024 to February 2026.
Federal agents arrested 21-year-old Zyaire Wilkins of North Lauderdale, Florida, accusing him of helping run a scheme that embedded crypto-stealing malware inside online video games, according to a federal complaint described by Decrypt.
The FBI says the group launched eight malware-laced games between May 2024 and February 2026, infected roughly 8,000 devices, broke into about 80 cryptocurrency wallets, and stole at least $220,000.
Investigators allege the conspirators marketed the titles across Discord, Telegram, X, and LinkedIn, using bots to target users with larger crypto holdings before directing them to download the games.
According to the complaint, once installed, the malware harvested private data and login credentials, and Wilkins allegedly coordinated with an unnamed “primary developer” over Signal to discuss running “draining campaigns” that tricked victims into approving transactions that instantly emptied wallets. The charge of conspiracy to obtain information by computer for private financial gain carries up to 10 years in prison.