When NPR Hosts Meet Crypto Scammers: A Hilarious Digital Hijacking

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In an era where the digital landscape resembles a carnival of miscreants, NPR’s own Scott Simon has found himself ensnared in the web of cryptocurrency scammers. One might say it’s the modern-day equivalent of a highwayman demanding your wallet-except this time, they’re equipped with Wi-Fi and a penchant for digital deception.

Steve Inskeep, Simon’s ever-watchful colleague, took it upon himself to deliver a clarion call to their followers, declaring, perhaps rather ironically, that Simon is not in league with the dark forces of digital assets. One wonders if Inskeep should also mention that Simon doesn’t sell moon rocks or bottled air from the Himalayas.

The hack and lockdown

With a sense of urgency befitting an emergency broadcast, Inskeep shared a message directly from Simon concerning the ongoing breach. It reads like a desperate plea, the sort one might scrawl on a napkin in a dimly lit bar after a series of unfortunate events involving bad choices and a few too many drinks.

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“We are working to reverse this hack, and hope that @X will help,” Simon lamented through Inskeep’s post, his words echoing the hopes of every victim of a digital heist. “It’s crucial for us to keep people talking to each other. Our account has meant a lot to people, and to us, since 2009.” Ah, 2009, when life was simpler and Twitter was still a place for witty banter, not for crypto calamities.

The account of my friend and colleague @nprscottsimon has been hacked. He is not selling crypto. He asks me to post this:

“We are working to reverse this hack, and hope that @X will help. We think it’s important to keep people talking to each other. Our account has meant a lot…

– Steve Inskeep (@NPRinskeep) March 30, 2026

Simon’s account (@nprscottsimon), boasting a staggering 971,000 followers, has been locked down tighter than a drum to curtail any further onslaughts from these digital ruffians. The profile now displays a notice akin to a “No Solicitors” sign in the world of social media, stating that only approved followers can indulge in the content.

The account has been secured to ensure that these scammers do not have the opportunity to further disseminate their insidious links to the unsuspecting public, who may or may not be busy contemplating whether to invest in imaginary coins.

A growing trend

It appears that reporters with credibility and large audiences are becoming prime targets for these digital bandits. One can only imagine the delight in the eyes of hackers as they exploit the influence of respected journalists to promote their fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. “Pump and dump” tactics or phishing links-why not throw in some free candy while you’re at it?

One need only glance at recent examples of similar assaults to understand the gravity of the situation. Paul Sperry from The New York Post fell victim to these same nefarious strategies. In May 2025, hackers infiltrated the New York Post’s verified X account, sending direct messages impersonating Sperry, luring the unsuspecting (and tragically gullible) crypto enthusiasts into a fabricated podcast interview via Telegram. Meanwhile, Nick Robinson, the veteran BBC journalist, learned the hard way that clicking on dubious links is about as wise as feeding candy to a bear.

As we navigate this brave new world, let us all take heed of Simon’s plight and remember: the digital realm is filled with illusions, and the only thing scarier than a hacker is someone who believes they can get rich quick off of a meme coin.

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2026-03-30 10:14