Key Takeaways
- Internet personality Haliey Welch, aka “Hawk Tuah Girl,” says the FBI and SEC investigated her.
- Welch claims both agencies cleared her of legal wrongdoing.
- The Hawk Tuah memecoin rug-pulled investors for millions just hours after launch.
Haliey Welch, better known online as the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” says she was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over her involvement in the now-infamous HAWK token, which vanished with millions in investor funds just hours after launch.
Hawk Tuah Girl Says FBI Cleared Her in Memecoin Scandal
Speaking on her Talk Tuah podcast, Welch revealed for the first time that federal agents came knocking at her grandparents’ door after the scandal broke, sending her family into panic.
She says both agencies took her phone and questioned her involvement, but ultimately, she was cleared of any wrongdoing.
“After the coin launch, the feds came to Granny’s house and knocked on her door, and she called me, having a heart attack, saying: ‘The FBI is here after you, what have you done?’”
Welch, who shot to viral fame last year for her “hawk tuah” catchphrase, quickly became a meme icon, and, like many before her, parlayed that notoriety into a foray into crypto.
She promoted a namesake token, but within hours of its launch, the project collapsed, leaving investors high and dry.
Welch Claims She Didn’t Profit — But the Fallout Raises Bigger Questions
Welch maintains she didn’t profit from the memecoin, saying she was paid only a flat promotional fee, which she claims went entirely to legal expenses.
“I didn’t get a single token,” she said. “I didn’t even know what a wallet was.”
However, critics argue the story reflects a broader issue in crypto: influencers with little to no blockchain knowledge promoting risky tokens to trusting fans.
Welch had quickly embraced crypto lingo on X, posting phrases like “HODL Bitcoin” and “Bitcoin to the moon” to win over the community.
Her apparent lack of involvement in the actual rug pull doesn’t change the impact, investors who trusted her lost millions.
The Hawk Tuah case is just one of many in a growing trend of influencer-backed memecoin disasters, where virality becomes a vehicle for exploitation, intentionally or not.
Prashant Jha is a seasoned crypto journalist based in Delhi, India, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science Engineering. Passionate about the evolving world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, he has been a dedicated voice in the industry since 2018. Prashant’s expertise lies in regulatory reporting, where he unravels complex legal and financial developments with clarity and precision. Before joining CCN in 2024, he honed his craft at Cointelegraph, establishing himself as a trusted name in crypto journalism.
His coverage spans major industry events, including the high-profile collapses of FTX, Three Arrows Capital (3AC), and LUNA, offering readers insightful analyses of their regulatory and market implications. Prashant’s technical background enables him to bridge the gap between intricate blockchain technology and its real-world applications, making his work accessible to novices and experts.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Prashant is an avid music enthusiast, often exploring diverse genres to unwind. A sports lover, he has a particular passion for cricket and frequently engages in discussions about the game. His multifaceted interests and sharp journalistic instincts make him a valuable contributor to CCN, where he continues shaping the crypto landscape's narrative.
