In a concerning incident, the official OpenAI news account @OpenAINewsroom was hacked, leading to the spread of false information regarding a fictional blockchain token named “$OPENAI.” The posts, which emerged around 7 PM ET, falsely claimed that the token was associated with OpenAI and offered users a chance to gain access to a non-existent early beta version. These misleading posts remained live for approximately one hour before being removed.
Red flags were evident in the fraudulent posts, including a misspelling of OpenAI as “$OPEANAI” and a link to a phishing site masquerading as the legitimate company’s webpage. The scam urged users to click a “CLAIM $OPENAI” button, designed to trick individuals into linking their cryptocurrency wallets to the malicious site. Alarmingly, the post lacked a comments section, making it harder for users to identify the scam.
This incident is part of a disturbing trend targeting OpenAI-related accounts. Previously, renowned OpenAI employees, including Chief Scientist Jakub Pachocki and researcher Jason Wei, faced similar account takeovers that propagated crypto scams. In June, OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati also had her account briefly compromised.
These scams aim to collect user credentials to access cryptocurrency accounts, often resulting in significant financial losses. Following the recent breach, OpenAI reportedly issued an internal memo to staff, highlighting the increase in account takeovers and providing guidelines for securing their accounts.
The rise in cryptocurrency scams is becoming increasingly alarming. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported that Americans lost approximately $5.6 billion to such scams in 2023, with expectations that these figures will escalate in 2024. As cybercriminals continue to develop sophisticated tactics, users must remain vigilant and exercise caution when interacting with online content related to cryptocurrency.
The hacking of the @OpenAINewsroom account serves as a critical reminder of the dangers present in the digital landscape, particularly concerning cryptocurrency. Users are urged to verify information from official sources and avoid clicking on suspicious links. As the prevalence of these scams increases, maintaining awareness and security will be paramount to protect against potential financial loss.
September 2024, Cryptoniteuae