UK lawmaker’s X account hacked to boost scam ‘House of Commons Coin’

Lucy Powell, a UK MP, had her X account hacked to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency. The hackers posted links to the "House of Commons Coin" (HOC), falsely presenting it as a community-driven digital currency. Powell's staff confirmed the hack and swiftly secured the account, removing the misleading posts. The HOC token experienced minimal investor interest, achieving a peak market cap of just over $24,000. Powell hadn't previously promoted crypto, though other politicians have supported tokens. This incident mirrors a previous hack of Ghanaian President John Mahama's X account. Mahama's account was similarly compromised in March to promote a scam crypto called Solanafrica. Both hacks highlight the vulnerability of prominent figures' social media accounts. These incidents underscore the risks associated with cryptocurrency promotion on social media platforms. Authorities have taken measures to restore the accounts and to warn the public.