The verified X account of Ghana’s president, John Mahama, was hacked over the weekend, leading to a 48-hour period of fraud. During the attack, misleading posts were made claiming that Mahama was behind the Solanafrica cryptocurrency project, offering free payments via the Solana blockchain in Africa. Despite the efforts to remove these posts, the compromised account continued sharing crypto-related content, including hints about the launch of a new memecoin, alarming both his team and followers.
This breach underlines the increasing concern over cryptocurrency fraud in Africa, where digital assets are gaining popularity, but regulatory measures are still developing. High-profile figures, such as South African opposition leader Julius Malema and Nigerian businessman Tony Elumelu, have faced similar attacks, with hackers promoting fake investment schemes through their social media accounts. Cybersecurity experts are urging for stronger protective measures, including better monitoring of login activities and the use of more advanced security practices beyond basic two-factor authentication.
As Solana becomes increasingly popular for its lower transaction fees, criminals are using the blockchain’s growing prominence to entice unsuspecting investors into fraudulent projects.
This trend of exploiting celebrity accounts for scams highlights the urgent need for public figures to secure their digital identities and prevent such breaches. Experts recommend limiting third-party app access, using specialized teams for 24/7 surveillance, and implementing enhanced security protocols to mitigate these risks.
After regaining control of the account, Mahama’s team took swift action, expressing gratitude to X’s support staff for their help. The president thanked his team for their prompt response, and efforts are now focused on ensuring that the account will not be misused again. With cryptocurrency fraud on the rise, the attack serves as a stark reminder of the need for better security practices to protect public figures and their followers from digital scams.
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