Daniel Walker
On Monday, Sam Altman’s OpenAI X account was compromised in a cryptocurrency scam attempt. Hackers impersonated OpenAI, posting a fraudulent message about a fake token called “$OPENAI” to deceive users into visiting a phishing site designed to steal credentials from their crypto wallets.
The compromised account was OpenAI’s official newsroom on X (formerly Twitter), which is used to share company updates. The hackers falsely claimed that OpenAI had launched a new blockchain token called “$OPENAI” and suggested that users could claim tokens for early access to upcoming beta versions. OpenAI has confirmed that no such token exists and that the message was part of a scam.
Details of the Phishing Attack
The fake tweet appeared on the @OpenAINewsroom account around 6:24 PM ET. It included errors like misspelling the company’s name as “$OPEANAI” and linked to a phishing website designed to mimic OpenAI’s official site. The site had a button labeled “CLAIM $OPENAI,” which was intended to trick users into connecting their crypto wallets. The tweet’s comment section was disabled, making it harder for users to detect the scam. Although the post was eventually deleted, it remained visible for almost an hour and likely reached many followers.
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This phishing scheme aimed to collect users’ wallet credentials, potentially giving hackers access to their cryptocurrency and personal information. Similar scams often result in victims losing funds or exposing sensitive data.
Previous OpenAI Account Breaches
This incident is part of a broader pattern of attacks targeting OpenAI’s social media accounts. In recent months, prominent OpenAI employees, including Chief Scientist Jakub Pachocki and researcher Jason Wei, have had their accounts hacked to promote similar crypto frauds. In June 2023, OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer, Mira Murati, also fell victim to a similar breach, with her account used to promote a fake cryptocurrency scam.
Broader Context and Response
These kinds of attacks are not unique to OpenAI. Other high-profile organizations, such as the World Health Organization and Yahoo News UK, have also been targeted by hackers pushing fake cryptocurrency investment schemes. These scams often aim to manipulate victims through pump-and-dump schemes or other fraudulent activities.
OpenAI has acknowledged the breach of Sam Altman’s account and is actively investigating the matter. The company has warned users to be cautious and avoid engaging with suspicious posts or links that promise cryptocurrency giveaways.
Despite these security challenges, OpenAI continues to move forward with its innovations. The company is preparing to launch an advanced voice mode for ChatGPT, which will enhance voice interaction capabilities and improve accessibility for users. This feature represents the latest step in OpenAI’s ongoing efforts to expand how people interact with AI technology.
