You bought a 'pre-loaded' wallet — it was a scam
When someone "sells" you a wallet with funds in it, they still know the seed phrase. They will always be able to access that wallet. The "stuck funds" or "locked tokens" were bait to get you to pay them.
No free lunch in crypto, just like everywhere else. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
How this attack works
The pitch: someone 'sells' you a wallet that already holds tokens, or shares a seed phrase to a wallet with 'stuck' funds you can claim once you pay fees or gas. But whoever generated that wallet still has the seed phrase forever.
The visible balance is bait. The moment you deposit gas or funds to move the stuck tokens, an automated sweeper controlled by the seller instantly takes it. You can never out-run the person who holds the keys.
Warning signs
- •You were given a seed phrase to a wallet that already had a balance.
- •You were told to deposit gas or fees to unlock or claim 'stuck' funds.
- •The wallet was bought, gifted, or shared by someone else.
What to do right now
- •Never buy, accept, or use a wallet someone else created
- •Always create your own wallet from scratch
- •Remember: whoever knows the seed phrase controls the wallet
- •If it seems too good to be true, it is
Not sure this is what happened to you?
Run the 2-minute diagnostic