Drake’s X Account Hacked to Promote Fake Memecoin ‘$ANITA,’ Scammers Generate $5M
Drake’s official X account was hacked over the weekend, with cybercriminals leveraging the artist's platform to promote a fraudulent Solana-based memecoin called ‘$ANITA.’ The coin, inspired by Drake’s cartoon alter ego Anita Max Wynn, cleverly played on the gambling term “I need a max win.” Hackers falsely claimed the token was created in collaboration with Stake, Drake’s favored crypto betting site, and linked it to his upcoming "Anita Max Wynn Tour" in Australia and New Zealand.
The scam, shared with Drake’s 39 million followers, drove $5 million in trading volume before traders identified its fraudulent nature. The posts were later removed from Drake’s account, but the incident highlights the growing trend of celebrity X account hacks.
Just last week, the Cardano Foundation’s X account was exploited for a similar memecoin scam, though it generated far less activity. Other stars like Cardi B, Doja Cat, and Metallica have also fallen victim to such attacks, showcasing a disturbing pattern in the crypto space.
This breach underscores the critical need for enhanced social media security for high-profile accounts, as scammers continue to exploit fan trust to promote fake cryptocurrencies.