According to blockchain researcher ZachXBT, a hacker managed to hijack 15 crypto-focused X accounts and amassed $500,000 through fake memecoin scams.
Fake “Copyright Violation” Notices
In a statement on December 24, ZachXBT explained that the attacker impersonated the X (formerly Twitter) team, tricking users with claims of “copyright violations.” The fraudulent emails directed victims to phishing websites, where they unknowingly entered their account passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) credentials.
Once users “updated” their credentials on these fake sites, the hacker gained access to their accounts, taking control of 15 profiles and using them to execute memecoin scams.
Details of the Hijacked Accounts and Scams
The majority of the compromised accounts were crypto-related, including popular profiles like Kick, Cursor, The Arena, Brett, and Alex Blania. These accounts typically had over 200,000 followers.
To obfuscate the origin of the stolen funds, the hacker reportedly transferred them across Ethereum and Solana networks.
Rising Trend in Crypto Scams
So far in 2024, a staggering $2.2 billion has been stolen in 303 major incidents—a 21% increase compared to the previous year. Centralized services have been among the hardest hit.
Tips to Protect Yourself from Crypto Scams
To minimize personal losses, remember to:
- Avoid responding to messages that create urgency or contain suspicious links.
- Secure your accounts by enabling two-factor authentication and using security keys.
- Refrain from using the same email address across different services.
If you encounter suspicious activity, contact the platform’s support team directly!
You can also freely share your thoughts and comments about the topic in the comment section. Additionally, don’t forget to follow us on our Telegram, YouTube, and Twitter channels for the latest news and updates.