Scams in the Streaming World: A Cautionary Tale
The vast landscape of the internet is a double-edged sword, teeming with both generosity and deceit. A recent incident involving streamer RastalandTV serves as a stark reminder of this reality. While he was actively raising funds for his cancer treatment on the crypto streaming platform pump.fun, Rastaland encountered a malicious scheme that would cost him dearly.
During a live session, a viewer suggested that Rastaland play a game called BlockBlasters, promising a donation in return. Trusting the viewer’s intentions, he downloaded the game from Steam and began to play. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before Rastaland discovered that the funds he had worked so hard to raise had vanished.
Following his alarming revelation, Rastaland took to X to share his distressing experience. “I can’t breathe, I can’t think, I’m completely lost on what is going to happen next; I can’t shake the feeling that it is my fault,” he expressed, capturing the emotional toll of the situation.
In the wake of Rastaland’s post, Valve swiftly removed BlockBlasters from its platform. Initial investigations suggest that the game may have contained malware, though the specifics remain unclear. Commonly, such scams involve keyloggers that capture sensitive information or software that grants hackers control over a user’s computer, often exploited when the user is offline. However, many in the cryptocurrency community are labeling this incident as a ‘crypto drainer’ tool, specifically designed to target digital wallets.
Rastaland, who is battling stage 4 cancer, was visibly shaken when he realized the extent of the theft. BlockBlasters, which had been available on Steam since June and boasted a ‘very positive’ rating based on 114 reviews, appeared to be a legitimate title. Yet, some skeptics have raised concerns about the authenticity of these reviews.
As news of Rastaland’s plight spread across social media, an outpouring of support emerged from the crypto community. Notably, Alex Becker, a prominent figure with 1.3 million followers on X, stepped forward to donate the full ,000 to a new, secure wallet. Many others have followed suit, contributing to his fundraiser.
While efforts to identify the scammers are underway, the nature of cryptocurrency transactions complicates matters. Unlike traditional credit card transactions, crypto transfers are irreversible, leaving victims with little recourse. This incident not only underscores the vulnerabilities inherent in cryptocurrency but also raises questions about Steam’s moderation policies.
PCGamesN has reached out to Valve for further comment and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
