Celebrities Hijacked, Crypto Investors Tricked in Social Media Scam

Adele, Future, and Michael Jackson’s Instagram accounts have been hijacked in a coordinated scam targeting cryptocurrency investors, according to reports from multiple sources. The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of high-profile social media profiles to exploitation for fraudulent crypto promotions. Scammers used these compromised accounts to promote a counterfeit investment opportunity, leveraging the massive followings of the celebrities to deceive users into sending crypto to fraudulent wallets.

The scam was quickly identified and reported by users and cybersecurity experts who noted inconsistencies in the content posted. The fake messages directed followers to links promising exclusive access to investment opportunities, but in reality, the links led to phishing pages designed to extract private wallet information or crypto funds. Despite the swift action of users flagging the suspicious content, it is estimated that a significant amount of funds may have been siphoned before the accounts were restored by their respective teams.

This incident highlights a growing trend of cybercriminals exploiting social media platforms to spread crypto-related scams. The hijacking of celebrity accounts is not a new tactic, but the scale and speed of this particular attack underscore the urgent need for improved security measures and user education. Experts emphasize that users should always verify the authenticity of any investment-related messages received via social media, especially those from high-profile figures.

The compromise also points to the broader issue of social engineering attacks in the cryptocurrency space. As digital assets grow in popularity, bad actors are increasingly using sophisticated tactics to exploit trust in well-known individuals and brands. Analysts note that the use of fake support agents, AI-generated endorsements, and cloned websites has become more prevalent, making it difficult for even experienced users to distinguish legitimate opportunities from scams.

In response, Instagram and other platforms have taken steps to remove the fraudulent content and notify users of the breach. However, the damage has already been done, with several users reportedly losing significant amounts of cryptocurrency. The compromised accounts were restored after the platform’s security team identified and neutralized the threat. No official statement has yet been released from the celebrities or their teams regarding the breach, though it is expected that further actions, including legal proceedings, may be taken against those responsible.

The incident adds to a series of high-profile crypto scams reported in 2025, where investors have lost over $3.1 billion to various fraudulent schemes. The hijacking of Adele, Future, and Michael Jackson’s accounts is a stark reminder of the risks associated with the intersection of social media and cryptocurrency investments. As the sector evolves, both platforms and users must remain vigilant to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Source: [1] Adele, Future, and Michael Jackson Instagram Accounts Hijacked for Crypto Scam (url1) [2] Single Investor Lost $91M in Bitcoin to a Fake Support Scam (url5) [3] Crypto Scam Sites Make Up a Fifth of ASIC's Two-Year Takedown (url4)