In a highly calculated cyberattack, hackers successfully breached the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the New York Post, using the platform not for public announcements but for a covert scam aimed at cryptocurrency users.
Unlike traditional scams involving public tweets or phishing links, the attackers used private direct messages (DMs) to target selected individuals in the crypto community.
These DMs invited recipients to participate in a fake podcast recording, a tactic clearly designed to exploit the credibility and reach of a well-known media brand.
Once users responded, they were encouraged to continue the conversation via Telegram, a common tool used in crypto fraud due to its anonymity and lack of oversight.
Sophisticated Social Engineering Marks a New Scam Trend
This new approach came to light on May 3, when Alex Katz, CEO of blockchain security firm Kerberus, posted evidence of the breach, including a screenshot of a suspicious message allegedly sent from journalist Paul Sperry’s account.
The hackers’ methods demonstrate a clear departure from past scams that relied on high-visibility tactics like fake token promotions or wallet drainer links.
Instead, the attackers operated quietly, avoiding public attention and enhancing their chances of success.
Adding to the stealth, they disabled reply options on the DMs they sent, which prevented recipients from alerting the real account holder or others about the fraudulent messages, thereby delaying detection and maximizing their window of exploitation.
Experts Warn of Rising Trend in Media-Based Crypto Scams
Cybersecurity professionals quickly identified parallels between the New York Post incident and previous hacks, notably the compromise of The Defiant’s X account.
In both cases, the attackers relied on the authority and reach of trusted media outlets to lure victims through private interactions rather than public phishing.
On-chain investigator ZachXBT highlighted this troubling trend of social engineering over brute-force hacks.
By impersonating reputable journalists and initiating one-on-one communication, scammers bypass conventional warning signs, increasing their effectiveness.
The pattern signals a dangerous evolution in crypto scams, more targeted, more personal, and much harder to detect in real time.
Also Read: Tron Price Holds Steady Despite Official X Account Hack on May 2nd
Other High-Profile X Hacks Underscore Escalating Threats
The New York Post hack is just the latest in a wave of similar attacks targeting influential X accounts within the crypto sphere.
Watcher.Guru, a major crypto news platform, recently had its account hacked to spread false information about a SWIFT-XRP partnership, another scam tied to Telegram phishing.
Similarly, the X account of Myanmar’s acting president, Min Aung Hlaing, was reportedly used to promote a fake memecoin, while Bermuda’s Prime Minister, David Burt, warned of a fraudulent account impersonating him to endorse scam tokens.
These incidents reflect a growing and urgent cybersecurity crisis within crypto-related social media, with high-profile figures and institutions being exploited to lend credibility to increasingly deceptive fraud schemes.
Also Read: Animoca Brands Co-Founder Yat Siu’s X Account Hack, Hackers Promote Suspicious Tokens and Contracts