Metallica Becomes Latest Celebrity Victim in Crypto Token Scam

by

As a seasoned crypto investor with several years of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of disappointment and frustration upon learning about the Metallica token scam. The rapidity and devastating impact of such incidents are a constant reminder of the risks that come with investing in this space.

Hackers took control of Metallica’s Twitter account, making it a platform to disseminate information about the METAL token. They posted tweets, initiated a Twitter Spaces audio call, and interacted with other users. The content of these communications falsely announced partnerships with renowned entities like Ticketmaster and MoonPay. This misinformation implied that ticket discounts and merchandise purchases could be made using the METAL token.

Within the first hour and a half, those posts were removed from sight, but the harm had already been inflicted. The METAL token experienced over ten million dollars’ worth of trading activity before its value plummeted. It was said that this token was introduced on pump.fun, a widely-used token launchpad on the Solana blockchain.

As a analyst, I’m unable to definitively explain how Metallica’s account was hacked, as the specifics of the situation have not been disclosed by the band or their management team.

Community Reaction and Immediate Responses

Swift-acting Crypto Twitter community members efficiently identified the fraud, and in response, MoonPay President Keith Grossman promptly declared that MoonPay did not endorse or deal with the METAL token. Deceptive scammers, attempting to conceal their deceitful activities, erroneously asserted having contact with MoonPay.

🚨 Pls be careful. 🚨
MoonPay does NOT support $METAL on @solana.
— Keith A. Grossman (@KeithGrossman) June 26, 2024

MoonPay issued a cautionary tweet, drawing parallels with Metallica’s iconic song by labeling those dealing in the METAL token as “masters of scams” instead of “masters of puppets.” In retaliation, the hackers restricted MoonPay’s access to Metallica’s compromised account.

In the brief period of the fraudulent scheme, the METAL token witnessed substantial trading activity, recording approximately 30,000 transactions. The token’s value reached a high of $0.003 but then drastically dropped to under $0.00007.

As an analyst, I’d rephrase it as: Reaching its zenith, the token boasted a market capitalization worth $3.37 million, underlining the shocking speed and destructive power of the scam. Currently, however, the token’s total market cap hovers around the $50,000 mark.

Recent Trends and Previous Incidents

As a crypto investor, I’ve noticed with concern that there seems to be an increasing number of incidents where celebrities’ social media accounts are being taken over to promote fraudulent schemes. Just last week, I saw rapper 50 Cent’s followers being targeted in a similar scam, and earlier this month, legendary pro wrestler Hulk Hogan was also victimized. It’s disheartening to see such trusted figures being used in this way, and as an investor, it’s crucial that we stay vigilant and double-check any investment opportunities that come our way, especially if they’re promoted through social media channels.

The more recent event serves as a reminder of the potential risks in the expanding digital asset market. Despite being quickly resolved, this unfortunate incident led to significant financial losses for numerous investors due to the token’s demise. As the significance and worth of digital assets grow, so does the necessity of safeguarding these platforms against malevolent entities.

Read More

2024-06-26 12:19