Popular stand-up comedian and content creator Tanmay Bhat recently suffered cybercrime when his X (formerly Twitter) account was hijacked. The attackers exploited his digital presence and used his platform to promote a cryptocurrency scheme linked to Solana.
A fraudulent post emerged during the breach, falsely suggesting that Bhat was launching his own digital token. The now-deleted post stated: “I love memes and Solana, so I figured it was time for me to drop my own coin. Dev supply will be locked momentarily, I will be using YouTube revenue from streams and videos to support the coin and implementing it into my content.”
This deceptive message was a calculated move to leverage Bhat’s credibility and engage his vast follower base in a potential scam.
Cybercriminals Exploit Influencers for Financial Fraud
The case underscores an emerging risk in the digital space—hacking into influencer-fueled trust to spread scams. As influencer marketing has become a pillar of digital branding, bad actors have been finding their way into influential accounts more and more to take advantage of the audience under the cover of credibility.
Companies invest a lot of money in influencer partnerships in order to promote brand credibility, but cyber criminals have spotted such trust as the vulnerability, hitting public figures for promoting scams. The consequences of such a compromise not only compromise the credibility of influencers but also mislead fans and hurt associated brands.
Tanmay Bhat’s Quick Response and Warning to Followers
After Bhat regained control of his account, he posted an apology on Instagram Stories and warned his audience about the breach. “My Twitter has been hacked. Do not open any links. I am working to rectify it,” he said.
His prompt action is an essential reminder for social media users, brand owners, and content creators to be aware of online impersonation and cyber fraud.
Growing Threat of High-Profile Social Media Hacks
This attack is not an isolated case. In 2020, prominent figures such as Barack Obama, Elon Musk, Joe Biden, Bill Gates, and Kanye West were targeted in a large-scale Bitcoin scam where their accounts were used to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. Similarly, several YouTube channels of Indian creators have been hijacked and rebranded for Tesla-themed crypto scams.
As cyber threats evolve, social media users – especially influencers and brands—must implement stronger security measures, including two-factor authentication, regular password updates, and vigilance against suspicious activity.
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