- Former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad’s X account was hacked to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency.
- The fake “$MALAYSIA” token was linked to a known criminal group with a history of similar scams.
- Experts warn of rising cyber threats targeting high-profile figures for cryptocurrency fraud.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s X account was compromised, with hackers using the platform to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency named “$MALAYSIA” on the Solana blockchain.
The attack, which follows a growing trend of cybercriminals exploiting high-profile figures for crypto scams, has raised concerns over social media security and the increasing sophistication of fraudulent schemes in the digital asset space.
Mahathir’s Account: Used to Push Fake “$MALAYSIA” Token
An aide to Mahathir Mohamad confirmed the breach, stating that the former leader had no involvement in the unauthorized promotion of the so-called “official Malaysian cryptocurrency.” The now-deleted post falsely claimed that the token had been launched to represent Malaysia’s presence in the global crypto market.
Cybersecurity analysts who investigated the breach linked the fraudulent token contract to a known criminal group with a history of executing similar scams. The incident aligns with a broader pattern of cyber threats targeting influential individuals and organizations to manipulate cryptocurrency markets.
Related: Crypto Lawyer Bill Morgan Downplays Bitcoin Maxi vs. XRP Army Spat
A Worrying Trend: Crypto Scams and Public Figures
Mahathir is not the only high-profile figure to fall victim to such an attack. Recently, the official X account of the Cuban government was hijacked in a similar manner to promote a Cuba-themed meme coin. Hollywood actor Dean Norris also had his X account compromised, with hackers using it to advertise a fake cryptocurrency called DEAN, which quickly amassed a market capitalization of more than $8 million before being flagged as a scam.
While Mahathir’s team is working to regain full control of his account, the breach highlights the vulnerabilities present in major social platforms and the potential risks to both investors and public trust in digital assets.
Related: Legal Expert Explains to Bitcoin Maxis Why XRP Isn’t a Scam
Calls for Stricter Social Media Security
In light of the growing number of cyberattacks involving cryptocurrencies, industry experts are urging platforms to implement enhanced security features, including two-factor authentication, blockchain-based verification mechanisms, and improved fraud detection tools.
The crypto community is also being advised to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of any high-profile endorsements before engaging in new digital asset offerings.
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