Official OpenAI X (formerly Twitter) Account Hacked in Crypto Scam, Promotes Phony Token
An authorized OpenAI X (formerly Twitter) account was recently breached by hackers promoting a fraudulent cryptocurrency scam. In the misleading post, it was falsely claimed that OpenAI users could obtain an “OpenAI token,” granting them early access to forthcoming beta programs. However, this supposed token does not exist.
Reported by Bloomberg, the scam post contained numerous errors and referred to the token as “$OPEANAI” instead of “$OPENAI.” Furthermore, it directed users to a phishing website, “token-openai.com,” which aimed to pilfer individuals’ crypto wallet credentials. Although the post has been taken down, it managed to garner the attention of several thousand users prior to its removal.
This hacking attack occurs during a period of escalating cryptocurrency scams within the industry. Previously, in 2024, similar assaults targeted OpenAI employees, such as Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever and CTO Mira Murati. Their accounts were also briefly compromised to endorse bogus token schemes.
OpenAI’s security team recently distributed a memorandum cautioning personnel about the surge in account takeovers and suggested methods for enhancing security protocols. Despite these warnings, crypto scams persistently multiply, leaving users susceptible to phishing maneuvers that aim to steal their funds.
Incidents involving cryptocurrency scams are growing increasingly frequent, leading to billions of dollars in losses across the United States. Scammers frequently request cryptocurrency transfers, which become challenging to track once sent, especially when directed to countries that lack cooperation with U.S. law enforcement agencies.
According to CertiK, a blockchain security firm, the prevalence of cryptocurrency scams in 2024 has resulted in significant financial losses globally, extending into the billions of dollars. The FBI reported that Americans alone lost $5.6 billion to crypto-related scams in 2023, with this figure expected to rise in 2024.
OpenAI has yet to release an official statement regarding the recent breach of their account.