Lucy Powell’s X Account Hacked to Promote Cryptocurrency Scam
Introduction
In a concerning incident within the realm of digital security, Lucy Powell, the Minister for Manchester Central, experienced a hacking of her X (formerly Twitter) account that was leveraged to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme. The compromised account was used to disseminate messages about a digital currency called the "$HCC", which was falsely branded as a “community-driven digital currency bringing people’s power to the blockchain.”
Details of the Hack
The hacking incident was confirmed by Powell’s office early on Tuesday morning. In response, her team announced that immediate steps were taken to secure her account and remove the misleading posts, which had already been taken down. Among the unauthorized posts was an image showing the House of Commons logo, misleading followers into believing the scam was associated with an official government entity. Lucy Powell, who has garnered nearly 70,000 followers on X and has been the leader of the House of Commons since Labour assumed power last summer, was quick to address the issue.
Context of Crypto Scams in the Digital Space
The method employed by the hackers is a common tactic among cybercriminals. Using phishing emails — fraudulent communications designed to mislead recipients into revealing personal information — hackers can gain access to social media accounts. Additionally, leaked information from data breaches can provide passwords to these accounts, leading to unauthorized control. Once criminals take over a legitimate account, they often promote hastily created cryptocurrencies, hoping that the trust associated with the account owner will encourage users to invest in otherwise worthless coins.
Luke Nolan, a senior research associate at CoinShares, described this operation as a "pump and dump" scheme. This illicit practice involves artificially inflating the value of a cryptocurrency, encouraging investments, and then selling off the major stake, leaving late investors with worthless assets. According to Nolan, there were only 34 transactions involving the "$HCC" coin, amounting to a profit of approximately £225 from the scam.
Response from Authorities
In light of the attack, a spokesperson from the House of Commons emphasized the importance of cybersecurity, stating that the UK Parliament takes cyber threats very seriously. They noted that they regularly provide guidance to Members of Parliament on managing digital safety but refrained from commenting on specific cybersecurity protocols.
Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting center for fraud and cybercrime, reported a significant uptick in hacked social media and email accounts, with over 35,000 instances documented in 2024 alone. To counter these threats, they advise users to implement two-step verification for their accounts and to employ strong, unique passwords.
Notable Similar Incidents
Powell’s account hack follows a similar incident involving BBC journalist Nick Robinson. Earlier this year, Robinson’s X account was too compromised after he clicked on a phishing email, believing it was legitimately from the social media platform. His account was then used to promote a fake cryptocurrency named "$Today."
Conclusion
The incident involving Lucy Powell’s hacked account serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist in the digital landscape. As the number of such scams rises, it highlights the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures among public figures and everyday users alike. Increasing awareness about phishing tactics and ensuring strong security practices can help mitigate the risk of future attacks.
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