UK Lawmaker’s X Account Compromised to Promote Scam Project ‘House of Commons Coin’

In yet another concerning example of cyber manipulation, the official X (previously Twitter) account of a UK MP was recently stolen and used to advertise a fake cryptocurrency called the “House of Commons Coin.” 

The event, which happened in real-time before users and tech watchdogs quickly observed it, has sparked fresh questions regarding the vulnerability of political leaders to internet attacks. The continuous use of their influence to sell crypto frauds is also another conversation that has market watchers worried.

The Scam: ‘House of Commons Coin’

The hacked account started tweeting advertising material about a purportedly connected new cryptocurrency to the British Parliament. The “House of Commons Coin,” as it was called, shared posts that asserted that the coin would represent a breakthrough in UK financial access democratization. 

However, it was a classic hallmark of a rug-pull scheme, as embedded in the tweets were links guiding viewers to a dubious website with claims of great profits and early investor benefits.

With multiple grammatical errors and strong urges to action, there were clear red flags for consumers. The language employed in the tweets was unusually informal for a lawmaker’s account. Still, the association with a reputable public entity gave the fraud credibility that would have readily duped gullible supporters.

Rapid Reaction and Damage Control

Not long after the dubious tweets started to show, cybersecurity analysts and followers alerted the account to odd behavior. Within a few hours, the lawmaker’s team confirmed the hack and reclaimed control of the account. 

The false tweets were taken down, and an official apology for the event was sent to followers, warning them not to click on any URLs sent during the hack. Since then, the IT and security staff of the UK Parliament have looked into the hack, yet the details, including how the attackers got access, remain a secret. 

Particularly for well-known users like public authorities, X is also under demand to improve its authentication and recovery systems.

This incident fits a rising trend whereby dishonest people use the reputation of popular personalities to increase participation and confidence in bogus Bitcoin ventures. Whether it’s Elon Musk’s deep fakes or celebrity-cloned social media profiles, the goal is the same: weaponize trust to entice victims.

Crypto Users Should Remain Vigilant

The theft of a UK lawmaker’s X account in order to support a fictitious cryptocurrency project shows how even the most improbable venues may be taken advantage of for digital fraud. Growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies also brings more responsibility for platforms, laws, and public personalities to protect digital trust. Users should be advised to use great care and confirm all crypto.