Crypto scammers allegedly tried to bribe X employees for account reinstatement

Social media network X said it discovered a “bribery network” of users who have been “involved in crypto scams” that “paid middlemen to attempt to bribe employees to reinstate their suspended accounts,” according to a post on Friday.

The alleged “perpetrators” also use other social media networks such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Minecraft, and Roblox,” and are linked to wider criminal organizations, including ‘The Com,” the platform also said.

“Legal proceedings are underway against participants, and we’re fully supporting law enforcement. Our commitment to ensuring our platform’s integrity is absolute,” X said.

X, formerly known as Twitter, is one of the most popular social media platforms among crypto users and enthusiasts, alongside Telegram and Discord. Scams are commonplace on the platform despite increased efforts to crack down on illicit activity.

FBI warning, hacker charged in UK

The Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a warning in July concerning “The Com,” also known as “Hacker Com” or “The Community.” The law enforcement agency said the “primarily English speaking” international group, “many of whom are minors, engage in a variety of criminal violations,” according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

“Members of Hacker Com typically have a shared interest, ideology, or goal and work together, adding others to the group and splintering when necessary, to achieve their mission,” the FBI said.

Separate to X’s announcement, on Thursday, TechCrunch reported the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed federal charges against a British teenager “who prosecutors accuse of being involved in at least 120 cyberattacks, including the U.S. Courts system, and the extortion of dozens of U.S. companies.”

The teenager is accused of being involved in a 2024 cyberattack targeting London’s transportation system. The attack is being tied to the hacking group called Scattered Spider, which is said to have previously been involved with “The Com.”