On October 4, 2024, the official LEGO website fell victim to a cyberattack, allowing cryptocurrency scammers to mislead fans with a fraudulent “LEGO Coin.” The breach was marked by the sudden appearance of an unauthorized banner on the homepage, promoting the fake cryptocurrency and claiming to offer “secret rewards” for those who purchased it. The banner featured enticing images of golden tokens adorned with the iconic LEGO logo, further deceiving users into believing the scam was legitimate. When clicked, the banner redirected visitors to an external site where “LEGO Tokens” were being sold using Ethereum, a well-known digital currency.
The breach was quickly identified around 9 PM EDT on the same day, prompting LEGO to act swiftly to remove the unauthorized banner and the associated links. Users on the LEGO subreddit began sharing warnings, stating, “LEGO is not releasing a cryptocurrency! This is a scam and you should avoid it.” In a statement released shortly after the incident, LEGO reassured customers that it has no plans to enter the cryptocurrency market and emphasized that the unauthorized content was a result of a cyberattack.
LEGO confirmed that the issue was resolved within hours, stating, “On October 5, 2024, an unauthorized banner briefly appeared on LEGO.com. It was quickly removed, and the issue has been resolved. No user accounts have been compromised, and customers can continue shopping as usual.” The company also indicated that they were identifying the cause of the breach and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Despite the rapid resolution, this incident highlights ongoing concerns about website security and the vulnerability of even well-established brands to cyberattacks. As digital scams become increasingly sophisticated, it is essential for companies to bolster their cybersecurity measures and remain vigilant against potential threats. LEGO’s experience serves as a reminder for consumers to stay informed and cautious, particularly when encountering unexpected promotions or offers online.