4.4M Pi Coins Vanished! 🤯

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Oh dear. It appears someone, or a disconcerting number of someones, have discovered a creatively unpleasant way to separate Pioneers from their Pi. Millions of Pi tokens have seemingly evaporated, and the situation is… well, let’s just say it’s not entirely surprising.

The scheme, which exploits the shockingly transparent nature of blockchain data (honestly, who thought that was a good idea?), involves prompting people to “approve” transfers of their Pi to entities best described as ‘less-than-scrupulous’. The Pi Core Team, in a move that suggests they’ve finally noticed, has temporarily disabled payment requests. It’s like trying to put a cork in a sentient ocean of digital mischief. 🌊

Pioneers Warn of Scam Method Leading to Pi Being Drained from Wallets

According to numerous digital distress signals emanating from X (formerly Twitter, which, let’s be honest, is a bit like shouting into the void), scammers are meticulously scanning the Pi blockchain for wallets containing a non-trivial amount of Pi. It’s a bit like going fishing, except the bait is false hope and the fish are… well, you.

Once a juicy target is identified, the attacker sends a payment request. If a user, overcome by a baffling desire to help or simply a lack of suspicion, clicks “approve,” the Pi vanishes to the digital ether and a wallet belonging to someone who probably owns a very nice yacht. 🛥️

Community account Pi OpenMainnet 2025 pointed out the rather uncomfortable truth: “This isn’t a bug, it’s a feature!” Or, more accurately, it’s a feature designed in such a way that anyone with a rudimentary understanding of social engineering can exploit it. It’s the digital equivalent of leaving your front door unlocked and then being surprised when someone walks in and rearranges your furniture.

“Previously, people called this a ‘system vulnerability,’ but honestly, it’s not a vulnerability at all,” the post stated. “This is exactly how the wallet is designed to work. The only way you will lose your Pi coins is if you personally approve the transaction.”

The real danger, it seems, isn’t some cryptographic flaw, it’s the human tendency to trust dubious requests. Scammers are masquerading as trusted contacts, disguised as legitimate offers, and generally employing the kind of psychological trickery that would make a seasoned con artist blush.

A Scam at Scale

Blockchain tracking indicates one particular wallet address-GCD3SZ3TFJAESWFZFROZZHNRM5KWFO25TVNR6EMLWNYL47V5A72HBWXP-is acting as a central repository for ill-gotten gains. Apparently, it’s been collecting Pi at a concerning rate. One might suggest it’s becoming rather well-appointed.

The accumulated losses? A rather substantial 4.4 million Pi. That’s quite a lot of Pi, even when it’s not particularly worth anything yet. 💸

Here’s how much the top Pi scammer is stealing per month

Payments to GCD3SZ3TFJAESWFZFROZZHNRM5KWFO25TVNR6EMLWNYL47V5A72HBWXP

2025-07: 877902.56
2025-08: 743046.69
2025-09: 757277.21
2025-10: 563096.74
2025-11: 622767.88
2025-12: 838110.68

Total: 4402201.77

– r/PiNetwork (@PiNetworkUpdate) December 30, 2025

Data shared by Pi Network Update demonstrates an alarming consistency:

  • Approximately 877,900 Pi pilfered in July 2025.
  • 743,000 Pi, just a bit less, in August
  • 757,000 Pi, nearly back up there, in September
  • A slightly more modest 563,000 Pi in October
  • 622,700 Pi in November, and
  • An astonishing 838,000 Pi in December! Amazing.

This suggests a carefully orchestrated operation, not just a series of random unfortunate events. December’s surge, naturally, indicates escalating… enthusiasm.

This whole affair is especially worrying for Pioneers who are relatively new to the world of blockchain, and therefore possibly unfamiliar with the concept of “if it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.” and the intricacies of approving unsolicited requests.

Pi Team Disables Payment Requests

In a predictable response, the Pi Team has temporarily suspended the “send payment request” feature. It’s a bit like closing the stable door after the horse has not only bolted, but also taken a sabbatical in the Bahamas. 🏝️

“Currently, the Pi team has suspended these types of requests (possibly because the scams have gotten out of control),” the ever-so-helpful Pi Network Alerts reported.

This is, of course, merely a temporary measure. The feature may return once they’ve figured out how to prevent people from, you know, approving transactions that give their Pi away. A challenging proposition, to be sure.

For now, the advice is simple: Do not accept or approve any payment requests. Seriously. Absolutely none. Regardless of who it appears to be from. Even if they claim to be a friendly dolphin. 🐬

The incident rightfully highlights a fundamental quandary for blockchain: Transparency is great, but potentially makes it easier for scoundrels to operate. Security is important, but people do not always read the instructions. It’s a bit of a pickle.

Despite all this, Pi Network’s PI Coin was trading for $0.20381, up almost 1% in the past 24 hours. The market, it seems, has a peculiar sense of humor.

Meanwhile, the Pi community is valiantly tracking down suspicious wallets, issuing warnings, and generally trying to prevent further Pi depletion. It’s a heroic effort, but one suspects this is a battle that will require considerable vigilance.

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2025-12-31 08:58