The Bitcoin Frontier $220K bitcoin scam blindsides a mining CEO with Kent Halliburton
Nov 25, 2025
Kent Halliburton, CEO of Sazmining and seasoned Bitcoin entrepreneur, shares his shocking experience of a $220,000 bitcoin scam. He recounts how sophisticated scammers used social engineering tactics to exploit trust and self-interest. Kent highlights the red flags he overlooked during the scam, including unusual cash requests and trust exercises. He discusses vital operational security changes at Sazmining and offers practical advice for safeguarding against cyber threats, emphasizing vigilance and the importance of family code words.
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In-Person Long-Con Scam Unfolds
- Kent Halliburton described a multi-meeting in-person scam that led to $220,000 of Bitcoin being swept minutes after funds appeared in a newly installed wallet.
- The attackers built trust with lavish meals, cash envelopes, and in-person presence before the wallet drain occurred.
Unclear Cause After Wallet Setup
- Kent downloaded Atomic Wallet from the Apple App Store on 4G and copied seed words into his phone password manager during the meeting trip.
- Shortly after confirming funds, the wallet was drained and he later could not determine whether the app or seed exposure caused the theft.
Presentation Can Hide Con Artistry
- Scammers leveraged plausible ultra-high-net-worth personas and polished presentation to bypass suspicion and exploit business growth incentives.
- Kent found that self-interest for his company's growth blinded him to accumulating yellow flags during meetings.