Bitcoin scam: FBI investigates major Twitter attack

The FBI has launched an investigation as Twitter accounts of high-profile US figures were hijacked in an apparent Bitcoin scam.

The bureau said that “The accounts appear to have been compromised” to perpetrate cryptocurrency fraud. It insisted the people be vigilant.

Twitter accounts of popular US figures including Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Joe Biden were hacked in what Twitter said was a “coordinated” attack in a bitcoin scam.

Their official accounts requested donations in the cryptocurrency. 

A tweet from the account of Bill Gates mentioned, “Everyone is asking me to give back,” “You send $1,000, I send you back $2,000.”

The US Senate Commerce Committee Twitter to brief about the scam by 23rd July. 

Twitter said that its employees were targeted by hackers “with access to internal systems and tools”.

The company said in a series of tweets, “We know they [the hackers] used this access to take control of many highly-visible (including verified) accounts and Tweet on their behalf,”

Twitter also assured that it had taken “significant steps” to limit access to such internal systems and tools. 

The social media giant has continued investigation and has blocked users from tweeting about Bitcoin wallet addresses for the time being.

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre said its officers had “reached out” to the tech firm. “We would urge people to treat requests for money or sensitive information on social media with extreme caution,”

US Republican Senator Josh Hawley has asked the company if President Trump’s account had been vulnerable.

“It cannot be overstated how troubling this incident is, both in its effects and in the apparent failure of Twitter’s internal controls to prevent it,” Senator Roger Wicker wrote to the firm.