- Hackers used Drake’s X account to promote a fraudulent Token.
- The system uncovered the scam after it recorded $5M in transactions.
Hackers targeted Canadian rap sensation Drake on his X account to advertise a Solana-based memecoin called $ANITA, which used the animated alternate ego of Drake-Anita Max Wynn-as a means of touting the token, claiming that the token was launched by Stake, a crypto betting platform reported to be associated with Drake since 2022.
Hackers targeted Drake’s huge following of over 39 million, posting messages that included the contract address and branding of the memecoin tied to his “Anita Max Wynn Tour.” The name itself played on the gambling term “I need a max win,” further misleading potential investors.
The scam garnered much attention; the trading volume for $ANITA was at $5 million. The truth eventually appeared, forcing the traders to put a halt to their engagements. According to DexScreener, the token started with very high activity as soon as the posts appeared, and X suspended the account that impersonated the project’s official page.
Celebrity Crypto Scams on the Rise
This is one among many emerging trends of using the famous X accounts for cryptocurrency scamming purposes. Besides this, other personalities like Cardi B, Doja Cat, and Metallica have experienced hacking incidents. This shows that famous accounts are also vulnerable to security breach attacks.
Drake has recently been in the limelight because of his activity within the crypto space, especially his public endorsements of Bitcoin. However, the musician is not without controversy himself and has earlier faced criticism related to a reported loss of $2 million in a cryptocurrency exchange with an influencer from social media.
Although scammers long established the $ANITA token, its brief time in the public eye shows how much influence social media can wield, even when illegitimate. Crypto investors should remember this when they see sudden endorsements, especially when unverified claims arise.
Exploiting celebrity influence is still one of the most common tactics used by scammers who employ hacked accounts to make fake projects appear legitimate. It is time for investors and public figures alike to be more vigilant in this changing world of cryptocurrency fraud.
