By Nermeen Nabil TLDR
Sam Altman’s OpenAI X account was hacked in a crypto scam
Hackers promoted a fake “$OPENAI” token through a phishing website
The scam targeted users’ crypto wallet credentials
This is part of a series of similar hacks targeting OpenAI accounts
OpenAI is investigating the incident and urging user caution
OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company led by Sam Altman, fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam on Monday when its X (formerly Twitter) account was hacked.
The breach resulted in the promotion of a fake cryptocurrency token and a phishing attempt targeting users’ digital wallets.
The hack affected OpenAI’s newsroom account on X, which is used to share company updates. The fraudulent post appeared around 6:24 PM ET, claiming the launch of a new blockchain token called “$OPENAI.”
The message falsely stated that all OpenAI users could claim a share of this token to gain early access to upcoming beta versions.
The post contained several red flags, including a misspelling of OpenAI as “OPEANAI” and a link to a phishing website designed to mimic the official OpenAI site.
This fake page featured a “CLAIM $OPENAI” button, intended to trick users into connecting their cryptocurrency accounts. The post remained visible for nearly an hour before being removed.
OpenAI Newsroom has been hacked shilling a new fake OpenAI Token.
avoid scam site -> /token-openai[.]com@OpenAI @OpenAINewsroom #phishing pic.twitter.com/STMbBVONbK
— Dominic Alvieri (@AlvieriD) September 24, 2024
This type of scam typically aims to collect user credentials, potentially giving attackers access to victims’ cryptocurrency portfolios. Connecting wallets to such fake websites can lead to loss of funds or exposure of personal information.
The incident is not isolated, as OpenAI has been targeted by similar attacks in recent months. Other high-profile employees, including Chief Scientist Jakub Pachocki and researcher Jason Wei, have also had their X accounts compromised and used to promote cryptocurrency scams.
In June 2023, OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer, Mira Murati, experienced a similar account breach. Her hacked account was used to post a cryptocurrency scam resembling the recent incident with the company’s newsroom account.
These attacks are part of a broader trend affecting prominent organizations and individuals on social media platforms.
The World Health Organization and Yahoo News UK have also fallen victim to cybercriminals using similar tactics. These breaches often involve fake cryptocurrency investment schemes, such as pump-and-dump operations.
OpenAI has acknowledged the security breach and is currently investigating the incident. The company has urged users to exercise caution and avoid interacting with suspicious posts or links claiming to offer cryptocurrency giveaways.
Despite these security challenges, OpenAI continues to advance its technology. The company is preparing to launch an improved voice mode for ChatGPT, which aims to enhance voice interaction capabilities and improve accessibility for users.
The post Sam Altman’s Company Falls Victim to Online Crypto Fraud appeared first on Blockonomi.
Nermeen Nabil Khear