X-Rated Crypto Heist: Don’t Let Scammers Ruin Your Day 💸

How fake X links work

Hackers, bless their cotton socks, are at it again. Hijacking accounts, creating fake ones… all to post links that look legit.

If you’re on X, you’ve seen the giveaways, the “limited-time airdrops.” It’s like they think we’re all idiots. Oh, wait… 🤔 They’re banking on it. They either break into accounts (the cheek!) or pretend to be crypto big shots. Then, bam! They want you to click and connect your wallet.

Just the other day, May 29th to be precise, some poor soul on X warned everyone about a fake \$SONIC airdrop. The internet, eh? A cesspool of good intentions and phishing attempts.

What happens next? Well, depends on how creative the scammer is feeling. Fake wallet logins to steal your precious credentials, or they get you to approve a smart contract. Which, let’s be honest, sounds way smarter than it is. It just gives them access to your funds. Ta-da! ✨ These scams? Getting slicker. Mimicking real sites, near-identical URLs. The effort!

Why crypto is a prime target

Crypto. Fast, irreversible, anonymous. Music to a scammer’s ears, isn’t it? Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Like that ex who owes you money. And we store our funds in hot wallets, all connected to browsers and apps. Vulnerable? You betcha.

NFTs, DeFi projects… more ways to get mugged. Approve the wrong contract, just once, and poof! Everything’s gone. Like a decent man on a dating app.

Did you know? March 2025, NBA and NASCAR got hacked. Fake crypto announcements. Millions of followers. Honestly, the audacity.

Real-world examples of crypto scams via fake X links

Not just hypotheticals, darling. People have actually fallen for this. High-profile attacks, the whole shebang.

1. WIRED journalist’s X account hijacked (May 2025)

May 2025, a WIRED journalist had his X account nicked. Used to promote a fake WIRED crypto. Via memecoin launchpad Pump.fun. (I can’t even.) They created the coin, manipulated the price, then sold it all off.

Result? People lost money. The journalist got harassed. Lovely. Racist messages, threats… some anonymous Telegram user wanted \$2,800 back. The glamour! Turns out, the journalist didn’t have two-factor authentication. Rookie mistake. And yet, memecoins are still popular. Go figure. 🤷‍♀️

2. Pump.fun X account compromised (February 2025)

February 2025, Pump.fun (yes, really) got hacked. Fake governance token called “PUMP.” Then another one, “GPT-4.5.” They threatened to delete the account if the token hit \$100 million. The drama!

Pump.fun told everyone on Telegram to ignore the X account. Even memecoin platforms aren’t safe. The irony.

3. Lara and Tiffany Trump’s X accounts breached (September 2024)

September 2024, Lara and Tiffany Trump got hacked. Promoting a family crypto venture. World Liberty Financial. Eric Trump said it was a scam.

Bit awkward, given Trump and Elon Musk are… friendly. The family was pushing this crypto thing, and it got targeted. An official account warned everyone to stay away.

Moral of the story? Be careful out there.

How to spot a fake X link

They look real, don’t they? But there are red flags. Little details. Being aware can save you a fortune. Or at least, a few quid.

Scrolling through X, see a new token, an airdrop, a “connect your wallet” link? Pause. Breathe. Don’t click. These are phishing scams. Spotting them is all about looking closely.

Here’s what to look for:

1. Check the URL carefully

Hover (desktop) or tap and hold (mobile). Look for:

• Misspelled words (Binancee.com? Really?)
• Strange characters
• Weird domain endings (.click, .lol, .xyz)

If it feels off, it is. Trust your gut. It’s usually right about men, anyway.

2. Watch for urgent or emotional language

Scammers love pressure. Phrases like:

• “Only 30 minutes left!”
• “Claim your free tokens now!”
• “Exclusive to early supporters!”

They want you to act fast. Real companies don’t rush you. Unless it’s a sale at Selfridges.

3. Look at the account behind the post

Even if it looks legit, check the account:

• Username slightly different?
• Verified badge? (Or paid for?)
• Consistent posts? Or suddenly all about crypto?

Scammers use new or hacked accounts. December 2024, Scam Sniffer warned about fake crypto accounts. Hundreds a day. Double the usual.

4. Notice engagement patterns

Suspicious comments? Fake praise? Bots? Scammers flood the comments with “This worked!” or “Thanks, I got my airdrop!” False trust. Like a politician’s promise.

5. Double-check before you connect

Wallet connection page? Double-check the address. Fake wallet popups are a classic. Make sure you’re on the official site. Not a dodgy lookalike.

Did you know? Someone lost \$2.6 million in stablecoins. Phishing scams. Address poisoning. It’s a jungle out there.

How to protect yourself on X

X is great for crypto info, but it’s also scammer central. Protecting yourself can save you a lot of grief. And money.

Don’t avoid X entirely. Just be careful. Like you would in a crowded pub on a Friday night.

• Be cautious: Scammers use urgency and fake credibility.
• Check URLs: Hover over them. Look for misspellings or weird endings.
• Verify accounts: Even verified ones get hacked. Check the history.
• Use 2FA: Two-factor authentication. Google Authenticator or Authy. Add a layer. Like Spanx.
• Avoid DMs: Unsolicited messages? Suspicious. Especially if they want wallet access.
• Separate your wallets: One for playing around, one for long-term storage. Limit exposure.
• Report and mute: Help reduce the visibility of scams.
• Stay informed: Follow credible sources. Know the latest tricks.

A little caution goes a long way. Especially when trust is the first thing they target. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a drink. 🍸