An official OpenAI account on X (formerly Twitter) was compromised on Monday evening, leading to the dissemination of a cryptocurrency scam. The hacked account, known as @OpenAINewsroom, which shares updates and news from OpenAI, boasts nearly 54,000 followers.
OpenAINewsroom X Account Hacked
At approximately 6:24 PM ET on Monday, the @OpenAINewsroom account made a now-deleted post announcing the launch of a cryptocurrency called “$OPENAI.” The post read, “We’re very happy to announce $OPENAI: the token bridging the gap between AI and blockchain technology.” It further claimed that all OpenAI users were eligible to claim a portion of the cryptocurrency’s initial supply and stated, “Holding $OPENAI will grant access to all of our future beta programs.”
This announcement included a link to a counterfeit website masquerading as OpenAI’s official platform, but the URL did not originate from openai.com. Those who visited this site were prompted to claim the $OPENAI cryptocurrency, with a button encouraging users to connect their cryptocurrency wallets. However, it is crucial to note that accessing the site and connecting a wallet could have resulted in significant financial losses for unsuspecting users.
X Community Reaction
The OpenAINewsroom hack did not go unnoticed by the X community. Users quickly raised alarms about the unauthorized activity on the OpenAI account. A user under the handle Smoke-away (@SmokeAwayyy) tweeted, “Someone has gained access to the official OpenAI Newsroom X account. This is now the 4th OpenAI X account to be compromised in the past 15 months.” This statement highlighted a troubling trend, suggesting that OpenAI accounts have become frequent targets for hackers.
Another user, Benjamin De Kraker (@BenjaminDEKR), echoed these concerns, stating, “The official OpenAI Newsroom account has been hacked and is shilling fake shitcoins.”
Similarly, TestingCatalog News (@testingcatalog) warned followers, tweeting, “WARNING: OpenAI Newsroom account likely got hacked!!! Don’t interact with any links!” These messages illustrate the vigilance of the community and the rapid dissemination of information regarding the scam.
No Immediate Response from OpenAI or X
OpenAI and X did not respond immediately to requests for comment from The Cyber Express. As of now, the OpenAI Newsroom account has not provided any explanation for the incident.
The @OpenAINewsroom account, which launched at the beginning of the month, has yet to issue any communication to its followers regarding the incident. This lack of information could contribute to confusion and concern among its followers, many of whom may be unaware that the account had been hacked.
The Dangers of Cryptocurrency Scams
The incident follows the recent release of the FBI’s Cryptocurrency Fraud Report for 2023, which documented a significant increase in cyber-enabled financial crimes related to cryptocurrency. According to the report, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 69,000 complaints regarding crypto fraud this year alone, resulting in losses exceeding $5.6 billion. Although these cryptocurrency-related complaints constituted only 10% of the total financial fraud reports, the staggering losses attributed to them represented nearly 50% of the total losses reported.
Criminals are increasingly exploiting cryptocurrency in a wide range of scams, including tech support fraud, romance and confidence schemes, investment fraud, and government impersonation tactics. Notably, investment fraud has emerged as the most prevalent and financially damaging form of cryptocurrency fraud in 2023, with losses exceeding $3.9 billion.
The OpenAI account breach is not an isolated incident. Just last week, The Cyber Express reported that the YouTube channel of India’s Supreme Court was hacked and misused to promote cryptocurrency content before it was forcefully taken down. The Supreme Court, which uses its YouTube platform to stream live proceedings of significant cases, issued an official statement acknowledging the breach and promising swift action to restore normal operations.
“This is to inform all concerned that the YouTube channel of the Supreme Court of India has been taken down. The services on the YouTube channel of the Supreme Court of India will be resumed shortly,” the statement read.
Law enforcement agencies across Europe have been cracking down on cryptocurrency scams. In May 2024, authorities from Austria, Cyprus, and Czechia arrested six individuals responsible for an online cryptocurrency scam that had been operational since December 2017. The scammers had convinced victims that they had established a legitimate online trading company, launching a new cryptocurrency coin that would offer substantial returns.
This pattern of attacks highlights the critical need for individuals and organizations to remain vigilant against scams in an increasingly digital world. The rapid adoption of cryptocurrency, coupled with the relative anonymity it offers, has created fertile ground for criminals to exploit unsuspecting victims.
Users are urged to exercise caution when engaging with any cryptocurrency-related offers, especially those that originate from unofficial sources or require sensitive information.
Recommendations for Users
Users are urged to exercise extreme caution when encountering posts about cryptocurrency on social media. Here are some recommendations to avoid falling victim to similar scams:
- Verify Sources: Always check the legitimacy of the account posting about a cryptocurrency. Look for verified accounts and cross-check information on official websites.
- Avoid Clicking Links: Refrain from clicking on links in social media posts, especially if they prompt you to enter personal or financial information.
- Research the Cryptocurrency: Before investing in any cryptocurrency, conduct thorough research. Legitimate projects will have a professional website, a transparent team, and clear use cases.
- Use Official Channels: For information regarding any cryptocurrency or platform, always refer to official announcements from the organization’s verified accounts or official websites.
- Educate Yourself on Scams: Familiarize yourself with common signs of cryptocurrency scams, such as promises of guaranteed returns, unsolicited offers, and poorly designed websites.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how OpenAI and X will address the breach and what measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. In the meantime, users should remain cautious and informed as they engage with cryptocurrency discussions online.
