Vatican Bank Responds to Claims Linking It to VCT Crypto Scam
The Vatican Bank (IOR) has issued an official statement denying any involvement with the recently exposed VCT crypto scam, which falsely claimed to be affiliated with the religious institution.
The project, dubbed “Vatican Coin Token (VCT),” appeared across social media platforms and crypto forums in early July 2025, promoting itself as a faith-based, Vatican-backed financial revolution. It promised “divine returns” and claimed to fund charitable missions, gaining the attention of hundreds of small investors globally.
However, the Vatican Bank responded firmly:
“The Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR) has no involvement with or endorsement of the so-called VCT token project. Any suggestion of Vatican Bank participation is entirely false.”
VCT Crypto Scam Lures Investors with Fake Religious Messaging
The VCT crypto project used religious language, images of the Pope, and forged Vatican seals to appear legitimate. It even launched a pre-sale offering “blessed blockchain” investment opportunities with staged testimonials and fabricated press releases.
Many investors, especially from Catholic communities in Europe, South America, and parts of Africa, believed the project had moral credibility. Several victims sent USDT, ETH, and BNB tokens to wallets associated with the scam during the fake pre-sale.
Shortly after the token’s Telegram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts disappeared, victims realized they had fallen into a classic rug-pull scam. The scammer-controlled wallets quickly transferred the stolen funds through bridges and mixers to obscure their origin.
Chain Retrieval Traces Wallets Behind VCT Crypto Scam
As the scam gained attention, blockchain forensic teams from Chain Retrieval stepped in to help trace the stolen funds and identify the wallets involved.
Chain Retrieval is currently:
-
Analyzing wallet activity linked to the VCT pre-sale
-
Tracing cross-chain movements through Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Polygon
-
Flagging risky addresses and submitting reports to major exchanges
-
Monitoring scam-related tokens and smart contracts in real time
A representative from Chain Retrieval stated:
“This scam used religious branding to build trust, which is a growing trend in 2025. We’ve already traced a portion of the funds to a known wallet cluster linked to previous rug pulls.”
Fake Token Scams Are Rising—Here’s How to Stay Protected
In 2025, scammers are launching impersonation tokens and phishing campaigns that mimic trusted institutions, celebrities, or global organizations. VCT is one of many recent examples.
Chain Retrieval helps users avoid token scams by:
-
Scanning token contracts for hidden wallet drainers or suspicious code
-
Simulating transactions before approval to warn about risks
-
Alerting users when interacting with flagged wallets or dApps
-
Offering wallet monitoring and real-time fraud detection
-
Tracing stolen crypto and generating forensic reports for recovery
Had the victims of the VCT scam used Chain Retrieval’s transaction simulator or blacklist scanner, they would have seen warnings before approving token transfers.
What Victims Should Do Now
If you invested in the VCT token or connected your wallet to the fake platform, you should take immediate action. Early reporting improves the chances of tracing and potentially recovering your funds.
📧 Email: chainretrieval@gmail.com
📱 WhatsApp: +44 7951 606561
Chain Retrieval offers:
-
Wallet tracing and scam investigation
-
Token risk reports
-
Real-time monitoring tools
-
Recovery coordination with exchanges and law enforcement
Even if full recovery isn’t possible, Chain Retrieval can help flag the stolen assets, limiting the scammer’s ability to cash out.
Religious Branding in Crypto Scams: A Dangerous Trend
The VCT scam is part of a growing wave of emotionally manipulative scams in the crypto space. Fraudsters are now exploiting religious symbols, health care causes, and environmental narratives to convince users that their investments support a higher purpose.
“It’s a psychological tactic. When scammers tap into deeply trusted institutions like the Vatican, victims let their guard down,” said a Chain Retrieval analyst.
In response, Chain Retrieval is increasing efforts to educate communities, especially faith-based groups, about how to verify token legitimacy and use blockchain safety tools.
Final Thoughts
The Vatican Bank’s public denial of involvement has put the spotlight back on the crypto industry’s growing need for due diligence and scam prevention tools.
As scammers evolve, so must users. With real-time protection from platforms like Chain Retrieval, investors can stay informed, alert, and better prepared to avoid costly mistakes.