- Multiple high-profile X accounts were hacked on Sept. 18 to promote a Solana-based memecoin, HACKED.
- The attackers only made around $8,000 from the scam despite targeting well-known accounts.
- Blockchain experts warn users to revoke permissions for unused apps to protect their accounts from future hacks.
A series of social media hacks on Sept. 18 targeted multiple high-profile X accounts, including Lenovo India, Yahoo News UK, and the filmmaker Oliver Stone, to promote a Solana-based memecoin called HACKED. Despite breaching significant platforms, the attackers’ gains were far from impressive, earning only around $8,000.
Failed Crypto Scam on X
Blockchain investigator ZachXBT alerted the public to the hacking incidents, explaining that scammers had taken over the compromised accounts to promote the HACKED token. The unusual aspect of the scheme was that the hackers openly admitted the accounts were compromised, claiming they would “pump” the token for mutual profit.
However, the transparency of their actions didn’t yield much success. According to ZachXBT, top traders involved in the scam barely earned $1,000. The token spiked by 900% in under an hour, but it quickly crashed, leaving the hackers with minimal gains compared to typical crypto hacks.
Revoking App Permissions to Avoid Hacks
ZachXBT advised X users to revoke permissions for apps they no longer use, as it is suspected the compromised accounts may have granted access to the same malicious app or website. In recent months, several other prominent figures in the crypto space, including Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, have also had their accounts hacked.
