Twitter Breach Exposes Internal Admin Tool in Massive Crypto Scam
A hacker known as "Kirk" uses a compromised internal Twitter tool to hijack high-profile accounts and run a cryptocurrency scam. The coordinated social engineering attack targets prominent figures like Bill Gates and Elon Musk.
A hacker using the handle "Kirk" gains access to an internal Twitter admin tool, allowing them to hijack high-profile accounts to spread a cryptocurrency scam. The coordinated social engineering attack targets prominent figures, including Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Joe Biden, by compromising Twitter employees who have access to internal systems.
Kirk generates over $100,000 in just a few hours by using the administrative tool to reset the associated email addresses of the affected accounts. This action prevents the original owners from easily regaining control while the hacker posts fraudulent messages promising to double any cryptocurrency funds victims send to a specific address.
The incident begins with Kirk selling access to vanity Twitter usernames on the OGUsers forum before escalating to taking over major celebrity and corporate accounts. Twitter confirms the breach stems from a targeted social engineering attack against its staff, though a company spokesperson declines to provide immediate comments on the specific claims about the compromised admin tool.