Kylian Mbappé’s Social Media Nightmare: How His X Account Was Hacked and Used in a $100K Crypto Scam

 

French football superstar Kylian Mbappé has faced a challenging time both on and off the pitch since joining Real Madrid. While his move to the Spanish giants was celebrated as one of the biggest signings in recent football history, Mbappé's social media presence became the center of a shocking incident that left his followers reeling. On Thursday, Mbappé's X (formerly Twitter) account was hacked, and within just one hour, the hackers managed to pull off a crypto scam that defrauded his fans and followers of over $100,000.

The Hacking Incident

Mbappé, who boasts a following of 14.4 million users on X, saw his account fall into the hands of cybercriminals who wasted no time in launching a fraudulent cryptocurrency token named $MBAPPE. The hackers posted about this new token on Mbappé’s account, touting it as a lucrative investment opportunity. The promotion quickly gained traction, leading to the token's market cap skyrocketing to tens of millions of dollars within minutes.

This type of scam, often referred to as a "pump and dump," is becoming increasingly common, especially involving celebrities and influencers. Hackers exploit the trust and influence that these public figures hold to lure unsuspecting followers into investing in worthless or fraudulent crypto assets.

The $MBAPPE Token Scam: Millions Lost in Minutes

As soon as the post went live, followers, unaware of the hack, rushed to invest in the $MBAPPE token, thinking they were seizing a golden opportunity. One particularly unfortunate user, as reported by Lookonchain, created a new wallet specifically to purchase the $MBAPPE token. This user invested 7,156 Solana (worth approximately $1.03 million) in a single transaction, only to see their investment plummet to just $9.2k within an hour. The hacker had sold off the entire supply of the meme coin, effectively "rugging" the token to zero and leaving investors with worthless assets.

While most investors were left with significant losses, one crypto trader managed to flip the situation to their advantage. This savvy individual invested just 0.2 Solana (around $29) in the $MBAPPE token and sold it three minutes later for 866.14 SOL (worth approximately $125.16k), earning a staggering 4,330x return on their investment.

Following the hacking incident, Mbappé and his team quickly moved to regain control of his X account. The fraudulent posts were deleted, and an investigation was launched to determine the extent of the damage. However, the incident left a trail of financial ruin for those who had trusted the authenticity of the posts.

Mbappé, known for his on-field brilliance, now found himself grappling with the fallout of this off-field disaster. His account's hacking is part of a broader trend where cybercriminals target high-profile individuals to perpetrate crypto scams. Earlier in 2024, other football stars like Jamie Carragher had their accounts similarly compromised during Euro 2024, with the motive always tied to promoting cryptocurrency fraud.

For fans, the incident was a bitter lesson in the dangers of online investments, especially those tied to cryptocurrency. The allure of quick profits can often cloud judgment, leading individuals to make hasty financial decisions without thoroughly verifying the legitimacy of the opportunity.

This hacking incident also serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in social media platforms. Even with strong security measures, the accounts of celebrities and influencers can still be compromised, leading to significant financial and reputational damage.

As the crypto industry continues to grow, so do the risks associated with it. To protect yourself from falling victim to similar scams, it’s crucial to:

1. Verify Sources: Always double-check the authenticity of any investment opportunity, especially if it appears on social media. Ensure that the information is coming directly from a legitimate and verified account.

2. Be Skeptical of “Too Good to Be True” Offers: High returns in a short period often signal a scam. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

3. Use Secure Platforms: When dealing with cryptocurrency, use reputable and secure platforms for trading and investing. Avoid clicking on unfamiliar links, even if they appear to be from trusted sources.

4. Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news in cybersecurity and be aware of the common tactics used by scammers to exploit unsuspecting individuals.

The hacking of Kylian Mbappé’s X account and the subsequent crypto scam highlight the growing intersection of social media, celebrity culture, and the cryptocurrency world. While Mbappé was able to regain control of his account, the incident underscores the importance of online security and the need for greater awareness of the risks associated with digital investments. As fans and followers, it’s essential to remain vigilant and cautious when navigating the ever-evolving landscape of social media and cryptocurrency.