Glossary

Fake Wallets

1 min read

Fake wallets are fraudulent Bitcoin wallet applications or websites designed to steal users’ private keys, seed phrases, or deposited funds. These wallets often mimic legitimate brands, use polished interfaces, and appear in app stores, search ads, or phishing links to trick users into believing they are trustworthy. Once a user enters sensitive information, attackers gain full control over their bitcoin.

In the Bitcoin ecosystem, fake wallets pose a threat because they target newcomers who may not yet understand secure wallet practices. Some fake wallets drain funds immediately after receiving a deposit, while others quietly collect seed phrases for later theft.

Avoiding fake wallets requires downloading software only from verified sources and confirming that the wallet is open-source or widely audited. Users should never share their seed phrase with any app that prompts for it unnecessarily, and should verify community reviews and security disclosures before trusting a wallet with bitcoin.