In a concerning development, hackers took over OpenAI’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday evening to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme.
Around 7:00 pm ET, the @OpenAINewsroom account, followed by nearly 54,000 users, posted a deceptive tweet announcing the launch of an “$OPENAI” token.
The tweet falsely claimed that all OpenAI users could claim a portion of the token’s initial supply, falsely linking $OPENAI to the AI firm’s future beta programs.
The tweet promised users that holding $OPENAI would grant access to exclusive OpenAI features, further luring potential victims.
Accompanying the post was a malicious link leading to a counterfeit website, designed to scam users. The tweet was removed shortly after, but OpenAI has yet to release an official statement about the breach.
Cryptonews attempted to reach out to the company for comment, but no response was provided by press time.
Growing Trend: OpenAI Accounts Targeted in Crypto Scams
This is not the first time OpenAI’s accounts have been exploited in crypto-related fraud. Just a day before this breach, Jason Wei, an OpenAI researcher, had his X account compromised to promote a similar $OPENAI token scam.
High-profile figures within the company, including Chief Scientist Jakub Pachocki and Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati, have also experienced account takeovers, further illustrating the ongoing threat targeting the AI firm.
An internal memo circulated within OpenAI, as reported by Bloomberg, warned employees about a growing wave of account takeovers.
The security team provided advice on enhancing account protection to mitigate future risks. This warning, unfortunately, preceded the attacks.
Crypto Scams Surge Amidst Industry Losses
The attack on OpenAI’s accounts is part of a broader trend in the cryptocurrency industry, which has seen significant losses due to scams in 2024.
In August alone, total losses from crypto scams reached $310 million, making it the second-highest monthly loss this year. According to blockchain security firm CertiK, about $10.3 million was recovered, leaving a net loss of $300.6 million.
The largest crypto-related breach occurred on July 18, when hackers targeted Indian exchange WazirX, resulting in over $230 million in losses.
Investigations suggest that North Korean cybercriminals may have been responsible for the attack, though this has yet to be confirmed.
As crypto scams continue to rise, security remains a critical concern for firms like OpenAI, which are increasingly becoming targets of such malicious activities.
Key Takeaways:
- Hackers compromised OpenAI’s X account to promote a fraudulent $OPENAI token.
- OpenAI researchers and executives have faced similar account takeovers recently.
- Crypto scams surged to $310M in August 2024, with ongoing security concerns in the industry.
