Ghana President’s X Account Hacked To Promote Cryptocurrency Scam

Ghana’s President John Mahama recently fell victim to a cyberattack as his verified X account was hijacked for two days. The hackers used the compromised account to endorse a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme, his spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.

The breach, which commenced on Saturday, became apparent on Sunday when unauthorized posts appeared, falsely promoting “Solanafrica.” The scam was misrepresented as a presidential initiative aimed at facilitating free financial transactions across Africa via the Solana blockchain.

Fake Crypto Investment Scheme

The cybercriminals misled Mahama’s followers, urging them to invest in the fraudulent scheme, branding it as a groundbreaking financial innovation for Africa.

Although Mahama’s team quickly intervened and deleted the deceptive posts, the compromised account continued to disseminate crypto-related content, including speculations about an upcoming memecoin launch.

“The President’s X account was breached, but we have successfully regained access,” spokesperson Kwakye Ofosu told AFP on Tuesday. “We advise the public to disregard any cryptocurrency-related content previously posted from the account.”

Rising Crypto Scams in Africa

This cyberattack underscores the increasing prevalence of cryptocurrency scams in Africa. While digital assets gain popularity, regulatory frameworks remain inadequate, making the region a prime target for fraudsters. Cybercriminals frequently hijack verified accounts to promote fake investment schemes.

Mahama later confirmed the restoration of his account, thanking the X support team and well-wishers for their assistance.

Previous High-Profile Crypto Hacks

This incident mirrors past cyberattacks on influential African figures. In July 2023, South African opposition leader Julius Malema’s X account was hijacked to endorse a fraudulent token project. Similarly, in 2022, Nigerian billionaire Tony Elumelu’s account was compromised, leading to a surge of fake crypto giveaways.

Cybersecurity Experts Advise Stronger Protection Measures

Cybersecurity professionals urge high-profile individuals, particularly government officials, to implement stringent security measures.

“High-profile figures must enforce advanced security measures beyond two-factor authentication,” noted Abubakar Issaka from Ghana’s Centre for Cyberwatch and Data Protection. “Monitoring log-in activities, limiting third-party app access, and maintaining a dedicated cybersecurity team for real-time surveillance are essential,” he told AFP.

Scammers Exploit Solana’s Popularity

Solana, known for its low transaction fees compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum, has gained traction in Africa. However, scammers are increasingly exploiting its name to deceive unsuspecting investors.

Authorities have assured the public that they are taking necessary precautions to prevent further unauthorized access to Mahama’s account. Read more on crypto scams and online security