• About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Friday, September 26, 2025
DeFi Planet
  • News
    • People
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Regulation
    • Crypto
    • CBDC
  • Market Analysis
    • Bitcoin
    • Ethereum
    • Stablecoins
    • Altcoins
    • Crypto ETFs
    • Memecoins
  • Policy
  • Articles
    • Press Releases
    • Opinion
    • Explainers
    • Guest Post
    • Sponsored
  • Directory
    • Companies
    • People
    • Products
    • Wallets
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
  • Learn
    • DeFi Basics
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Blockchain Fundamentals
  • Research
    • Case Studies
  • Explore
    • DeFi
    • Crypto Gaming
    • NFT
    • DAO
    • Metaverse
    • Glossary
  • Jobs
  • Markets Pro
    • DeFi Planet Pro
    • Spend Crypto
    • Swap Crypto
    • Coin Prices
    • Crypto Exchanges
    • Crypto Analyzer
  • News
    • People
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Regulation
    • Crypto
    • CBDC
  • Market Analysis
    • Bitcoin
    • Ethereum
    • Stablecoins
    • Altcoins
    • Crypto ETFs
    • Memecoins
  • Policy
  • Articles
    • Press Releases
    • Opinion
    • Explainers
    • Guest Post
    • Sponsored
  • Directory
    • Companies
    • People
    • Products
    • Wallets
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
  • Learn
    • DeFi Basics
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Blockchain Fundamentals
  • Research
    • Case Studies
  • Explore
    • DeFi
    • Crypto Gaming
    • NFT
    • DAO
    • Metaverse
    • Glossary
  • Jobs
  • Markets Pro
    • DeFi Planet Pro
    • Spend Crypto
    • Swap Crypto
    • Coin Prices
    • Crypto Exchanges
    • Crypto Analyzer
No Result
View All Result
DeFi Planet
No Result
View All Result

Crypto Scams Surge in 2024 as Hackers Exploit Celebrities and Tech Leaders, Analyst Reports

12 February 2025
in Crime, News
Reading Time: 2 mins read
103 6
Home News Crime

A surge in crypto scams fueled by social engineering tactics marked 2024, with cybercriminals increasingly hijacking the accounts of high-profile figures to manipulate investors. 

A new research report by blockchain forensic firm Merkle Science on February 11 highlights how hackers exploited the credibility of celebrities, tech executives, and industry leaders to promote fraudulent token launches.

One of the most significant cases occurred on August 29, 2024, when hackers took control of soccer star X’s account. Within hours, the attackers used his platform to promote a fake MBAPPE meme coin on Solana, leading to a staggering $460 million market cap before the project collapsed. The scam ultimately left investors with losses exceeding $1 million.

“By compromising influential figures and trusted platforms, hackers exploit credibility to manipulate investors at scale,”

Merkle Science stated in its report.

According to the New York-based forensic firm, there were 36 documented cases of these high-profile scams in 2024. Celebrities were the primary targets, comprising 33% of cases, followed by tech leaders at 30% and tech companies at 19%. Government agencies and consumer brands accounted for only 5% each. The average victim had 2.3 million followers, making their hacked accounts particularly effective for mass deception.

The report also reveals that X was the primary attack platform, involved in 75% of all cases. YouTube followed at 19%, while official website hacks accounted for 5%. Scammers deployed various tactics, including phishing links and techniques to bypass two-factor authentication.

Two scam methods dominated crypto fraud in 2024: rug pulls and phishing attacks, making up 88% of all crypto-related scams. Rug pulls involved fake tokens and fraudsters disappearing with funds, while phishing schemes tricked victims into revealing private keys, allowing hackers to access accounts.

Notably, on February 5, scammers hijacked the X accounts of the Solana-based DEX aggregator Jupiter and former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to promote fake memecoins.

 

If you want to read more news articles like this, visit DeFi Planet and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and CoinMarketCap Community.

“Take control of your crypto portfolio with MARKETS PRO, DeFi Planet’s suite of analytics tools.”

Don't miss out!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Receive top education news, lesson ideas, teaching tips and more!
Invalid email address
Give it a try. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!
Tags: Merkle Science
Share63Tweet40Share11
Previous Post

Crypto Advocates Seek Clarity on Regulations During President Trump’s Administration

Next Post

The End of High Fees? Web3Bay Offers Alternative to Traditional E-Commerce! Usual Inc & AVAX News Included

Favour Okosodo

Favour Okosodo

Experienced web content writer with a strong command of SEO, specializing in creating concise, engaging content that drives traffic and enhances conversions across diverse industries.

Related Posts

source: coinpedia.com
Regulation

Nine European Banks Unite to Launch MiCA-Regulated Euro Stablecoin

25 September 2025
source: thisismoney.co.uk
Crypto

Crypto Treasury Firms Turn to Buybacks to Win Investor Confidence

25 September 2025
source: decrypt.co
Ethereum

Ethereum’s Fusaka Upgrade Set for December to Boost Scalability With PeerDAS

25 September 2025
source: coingape.com
Crime

UXLINK Advances Token Migration Amid Security Breach and Exchange Coordination.

25 September 2025

Editors Picks

Mining vs. Staking: Which Crypto Validation Method Will Shape the Future?

Mining vs. Staking: Which Crypto Validation Method Will Shape the Future?

byOlajumoke Oyaleke
15 July 2025
0

Where Are the Ethereum-Killers Now?

Where Are the Ethereum-Killers Now?

byOlayinka Sodiqand1 others
6 January 2025
0

source: investorplace.com

How to Find the Newest Cryptocurrencies Before They’re Listed

byOlayinka Sodiq
30 December 2024
0

Exploring the Role of AI in Enhancing DeFi Security

Exploring the Role of AI in Enhancing DeFi Security

byOlayinka Sodiq
1 October 2024
0

The Ultimate Guide to How NFT Royalties Work

The Ultimate Guide to How NFT Royalties Work

byAdedamola Ojedokun
17 April 2024
0

Read More

Chain of Thoughts

Zero-Knowledge Everything: Trust, Privacy, and Verification in the Digital Age

Zero-Knowledge Everything: Trust, Privacy, and Verification in the Digital Age

byOlu Omoyele
30 August 2025
0

...

What Happens When AI Gets a Wallet?

What Happens When AI Gets a Wallet?

byOlu Omoyele
31 July 2025
0

...

The Game-changing Triumvirate: Blockchain, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence

The Game-changing Triumvirate: Blockchain, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence

byOlu Omoyele
30 June 2025
0

...

Are Stablecoins Bank Deposits?

Are Stablecoins Bank Deposits?

byOlu Omoyele
31 May 2025
0

...

Markets Update

Network Tokens on the Edge: Commodities vs Securities and the SEC’s Next Big Move

19 hours ago

Tether Eyes $20B Fundraise at $500B Valuation

2 days ago

Do Tokenized Stocks Confuse Investors? Risks You Should Know

6 days ago

Can Europe’s Stablecoin Ambitions Withstand Pressure From the US and China?

7 days ago

Your Weekend Crypto Roundup | September 2025 (Week 3)

7 days ago

Crypto, Privacy, and Judicial Authority in the United States

1 week ago
Read More

Events

Korea Blockchain Week 2025
Korea Blockchain Week 2025
22 Sep 25
Seoul
Blockchain Life 2025
Blockchain Life 2025
28 Oct 25

Spotlight

All about Ethereum
All about Algorand
All about Bitcoin
All about Gora

Press Releases

KuCoin Appeals FINTRAC Decision, Reaffirms Commitment to Compliance

bychainwire
25 September 2025
0

Phemex Revamps Blog to Deliver Deeper Insights and Enhanced Reader Experience

bychainwire
25 September 2025
0

T-REX Launches Intelligence Layer to Fix Web3’s Value Distribution Problem

bychainwire
25 September 2025
0

MNT’s Bybit Era: One All-Powerful Asset Across Two Ecosystems

bychainwire
24 September 2025
0

BTCC Exchange Partners with NBA All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. to Inspire Smarter Moves in Sports and Crypto

bychainwire
24 September 2025
0

Read More

ADVERTISING

ABOUT

TEAM

CAREERS

CONTACT

TERMS & CONDITIONS

PRIVACY POLICY

© Copyright 2025 DeFi Planet

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Please enter and activate your license key for Cryptocurrency Widgets PRO plugin for unrestricted and full access of all premium features.

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • People
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Regulation
    • Crypto
    • CBDC
  • Market Analysis
    • Bitcoin
    • Ethereum
    • Stablecoins
    • Altcoins
    • Crypto ETFs
    • Memecoins
  • Policy
  • Articles
    • Press Releases
    • Opinion
    • Explainers
    • Guest Post
    • Sponsored
  • Directory
    • Companies
    • People
    • Products
    • Wallets
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
  • Learn
    • DeFi Basics
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Blockchain Fundamentals
  • Research
    • Case Studies
  • Explore
    • DeFi
    • Crypto Gaming
    • NFT
    • DAO
    • Metaverse
    • Glossary
  • Jobs
  • Markets Pro
    • DeFi Planet Pro
    • Spend Crypto
    • Swap Crypto
    • Coin Prices
    • Crypto Exchanges
    • Crypto Analyzer

© Copyright 2024 DeFi Planet   |   Terms & Conditions   |   Privacy Policy

-
00:00
00:00

Queue

Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00