Florida man arrested for stealing $220K in crypto via Steam malware scheme

Florida man arrested for stealing $220K in crypto via Steam malware scheme

A 21-year-old allegedly embedded malware in eight video games, infecting 8,000 devices and draining 80 crypto wallets over nearly two years

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By Editorial Team
Edited by Vivian Nguyen

Federal investigators have charged a 21-year-old Florida man in connection with an alleged malware scheme that used video games to steal at least $220,000 in crypto from victims, according to Local 10 News.

The complaint accuses Zyaire Wilkins and his associates of distributing eight malware-laced games between May 2024 and February 2026, infecting approximately 8,000 devices and compromising around 80 crypto wallets.

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The games, including PirateFi and BlockBlasters, were previously linked to an FBI investigation into malware spread through Steam.

Authorities said the suspects promoted the games on social media and messaging platforms before using malware to obtain victims’ personal information and drain their crypto wallets.

Wilkins was identified through blockchain transactions tied to a Bitrefill account and was arrested on July 14 on a federal conspiracy charge related to computer-based financial crimes.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
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Florida man arrested for stealing $220K in crypto via Steam malware scheme
Florida man arrested for stealing $220K in crypto via Steam malware scheme

A 21-year-old allegedly embedded malware in eight video games, infecting 8,000 devices and draining 80 crypto wallets over nearly two years

By Editorial Team
Edited by Vivian Nguyen

Share

Add us on Google

Federal investigators have charged a 21-year-old Florida man in connection with an alleged malware scheme that used video games to steal at least $220,000 in crypto from victims, according to Local 10 News.

The complaint accuses Zyaire Wilkins and his associates of distributing eight malware-laced games between May 2024 and February 2026, infecting approximately 8,000 devices and compromising around 80 crypto wallets.

Advertisement

The games, including PirateFi and BlockBlasters, were previously linked to an FBI investigation into malware spread through Steam.

Authorities said the suspects promoted the games on social media and messaging platforms before using malware to obtain victims’ personal information and drain their crypto wallets.

Wilkins was identified through blockchain transactions tied to a Bitrefill account and was arrested on July 14 on a federal conspiracy charge related to computer-based financial crimes.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.