BBC presenter Nick Robinson has fallen victim to a cyberattack, with scammers taking control of his social media account to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency. The incident highlights the growing boldness of crypto fraudsters, who increasingly use high-profile figures to dupe unsuspecting investors.
BBC’s Nick Robinson Targeted in Crypto Scam
On Monday, February 10, Robinson’s X (formerly Twitter) account was hacked, exposing his one million followers to a fraudulent token named $TODAY. The attackers posted a message falsely claiming that Radio 4 Today—the BBC program Robinson presents—had launched its own cryptocurrency.
The post, which has since been deleted, even invoked US President Donald Trump’s name, praising his business skills to make the scam seem more credible. Fraudsters frequently use well-known public figures to lend legitimacy to their schemes, often creating a false sense of urgency among investors.
Despite the quick removal of the post, Robinson has yet to regain control of his account. He addressed the incident on his radio broadcast, calling the scam “complete nonsense” and warning listeners to be cautious. “Lesson learned. Don’t click on everything you see,” he said.
Social Engineering Scams Are Exploding
Just a day after Robinson’s account was hijacked, Merkle Science published a report on this very type of fraud—social engineering scams. Unlike traditional hacking, these scams don’t exploit weaknesses in code but rather manipulate people into acting against their best interests.
Social engineering scams often involve:
- Celebrity endorsements: Fraudsters hijack or impersonate well-known figures to push scam tokens.
- Fake credibility boosts: They reference respected brands or public figures, as seen in Robinson’s case.
- Urgency tactics: Posts urge followers to invest quickly before they “miss out.”
Once victims engage with scam wallets or click on fraudulent links, they risk losing funds immediately.
X and YouTube: The Biggest Hotspots for Crypto Scams
According to Merkle Science, at least 36 similar scams have been recorded in 2024. Social media platforms are the primary battlegrounds, with X being the most exploited:
| Platform | Percentage of Scams |
|---|---|
| X (formerly Twitter) | 75% |
| YouTube | 19% |
| Other | 6% |
X dominates as the go-to platform for scammers, likely due to its real-time nature and ease of impersonation. YouTube follows, where fraudsters post fake livestreams featuring deepfaked celebrities promoting scam investments.
How Victims Lose Money in These Scams
Crypto scams typically operate through two primary methods:
- Rug pulls (44% of cases): Fraudsters wait for enough people to invest, then withdraw all liquidity, leaving investors with worthless tokens.
- Phishing attacks: Users are lured into connecting their wallets to malicious websites, giving hackers full control of their funds.
Many phishing scams take the form of fake airdrops or giveaways, promising free crypto in exchange for small deposits or wallet access. Once connected, scammers drain victims’ wallets without their knowledge.
How to Stay Safe from Crypto Scams
Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, but a few precautionary steps can help users protect themselves:
- Verify sources: If an account claims to launch a token or airdrop, check their official website and social media.
- Watch for red flags: Overhyped promotions, urgent calls to invest, and big-name endorsements without official verification are all warning signs.
- Never connect wallets to unknown websites: If a site asks you to connect your crypto wallet, ensure it’s a trusted source.
- Use two-factor authentication (2FA): Extra security layers make it harder for hackers to take over accounts.
With scammers becoming more aggressive, staying vigilant is crucial. As seen in Robinson’s case, even trusted public figures can be hijacked to spread misinformation, making it all the more important for crypto users to think twice before investing.
