Mbappé’s Twitter Hijacked to Promote Fake MBAPPE Token

On Aug. 29, hackers compromised soccer superstar Kylian Mbappé’s X account.

The hijackers exploited the French player’s huge following to promote a bogus token, MBAPPE, repeating an infamous scam that has caught many celebrities off guard in recent years

Mbappé Twitter Account Hacker Makes Quick Money

Within minutes of the fake promotion, the MBAPPE token skyrocketed to a multi-million dollar market capitalization only to eventually crash to zero, leaving most of the unsuspecting investors with massive losses.

A few lucky individuals managed to profit from the scam, including one user who invested 2 SOL ($286) and sold at the token’s peak price, netting a return of around 1,398 SOL ($200,000).

However, others were not so fortunate. According to data from on-chain analytics platform Lookonchain, one investor lost over $1 million in a single transaction on the meme token, only to watch it evaporate within hours.

The Mbappé account hacker siphoned $100,000 within the first hour and stole over $500,000 in assets before his account was restored.

The Memecoin Frenzy and Get Rich Quick Conundrum

Cybercriminals frequently target high-profile social media accounts to promote crypto scams, preying on the trust and credibility of unsuspecting investors.

These scams often balloon to a multi-million-dollar market capitalization within minutes before plunging to zero, leaving investors reeling from major losses.

Despite the obvious red flags, many people continue to fall prey to these scams. A combination of factors contributes to this vulnerability, including the frenzied enthusiasm for meme coins and the get-rich-quick mentality that pervades the crypto market.

Shockingly, even seemingly unlikely targets, such as fast-food giant McDonald’s, have been exploited. In this instance, hackers infiltrated the company’s social media account to dupe users out of their money.

While many may argue the influence of public figures is one of the key reasons, even fast food giants like McDonald’s account was hacked to scam users out of their money.

While celebrity endorsements can amplify the allure of these scams, it’s essential to remember that any promotional offer that appears too good to be true is likely a scam.

Investors must remain vigilant and skeptical of such offers, lest they fall prey to the next big crypto scam.

About the Author

Prashant Jha

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.

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