X(Twitter) announced on Friday that it has uncovered a network of users who paid middlemen to try to bribe company employees to reactivate suspended accounts on the platform.
The company said the scheme targeted accounts tied to crypto scams and spread across other social apps like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, as well as gaming platforms such as Minecraft and Roblox.
X(Twitter) exposes a coordinated scheme
X(Twitter) said it has begun legal action and is working with law enforcement. The posts came after the FBI warned in July about a group known as The Com and as federal prosecutors unsealed charges against a British teenager accused of dozens of cyberattacks.
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X(Twitter) said the group hired intermediaries to contact workers inside social platforms. The goal was to get banned accounts back online.
The company said many of the suspended accounts were linked to fraud schemes that pushed fake crypto offers. X(Twitter) said the ring is tied to wider criminal networks and that prosecutions are underway.
Platforms targeted and methods used
Scammers did not limit themselves to one site, and they used Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Minecraft and Roblox to lure victims. Posts and direct messages often pushed false investment claims.
The actors then paid people on the platform to try to bribe employees at social networks. X(Twitter) said the network also tried to manipulate the platform to hide offending posts.
What does law enforcement say?
The FBI warned in July about a group called The Com, sometimes called Hacker Com or The Community. The agency said the group is mainly English-speaking and that many members are minors.
The FBI described the group as fluid, with members joining and leaving to pursue shared goals. X(Twitter) said it is fully supporting law enforcement investigations into the bribery attempts.
Recent federal charges add context
Separately, U.S. prosecutors unsealed charges against a British teenager accused of taking part in at least 120 cyberattacks and extorting dozens of U.S. companies. The indictment links the teen to a 2024 attack that disrupted London’s transport system.
Authorities tied that case to a hacking crew called Scattered Spider, a group that has been associated with The Com in some reports.
Why have crypto scams risen?
Crypto scams have climbed as social apps and online games have become places to recruit victims. Scammers can reach large groups fast. They use flashy posts, fake endorsements and false proofs of gains.
The promise of quick returns draws in people who then send money or tokens. Platforms have stepped up policing, but bad actors adapt quickly. Many of the accounts that were suspended tried to return by bribing insiders or by moving activity to other apps.
Impact on users and platforms
The discovery raises new concerns for users who rely on social apps for trading tips and signals. People who follow unverified accounts face a real risk of losing money. Platforms must balance user support with tighter controls.
Workers at social companies also face pressure from outside parties who try to influence content moderation decisions.
What X(Twitter) says it will do?
X(Twitter) stated it is taking strong action to stop the ring, and the company said it has removed accounts linked to scams and cut off the middlemen.
It also said it will keep sharing evidence with police and prosecutors. The platform asked users to report suspicious messages and to avoid offers that seem too good to be true.
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