Lucy Powell’s verified X account was hacked, promoting a fake ‘House of Commons crypto coin’. The post focused on blockchain engagement and was rapidly deleted. This method exemplifies a ‘pump and dump’ fraud, where creators inflate coin value to profit. A House of Commons representative confirmed no such coin exists, emphasising cyber security precautions.
Commons Leader Lucy Powell’s account on X has fallen victim to a hacking incident, leading to numerous posts promoting a fictitious “House of Commons crypto coin.” Early on Tuesday morning, the verified account shared recurring messages regarding a digital currency purportedly designed to enhance blockchain accessibility, emphasising the principles of transparency, participation, and trust.
One of the posts featured the official insignia of the House of Commons, including its distinctive portcullis logo. Although initially visible to the public, these misleading posts were promptly deleted after their publication. This incident recalls a similar event in January 2025 when BBC presenter Laura Kuenssberg’s account was also compromised to promote a BBC-branded crypto coin.
Luke Nolan, a senior research associate at CoinShares, identified this as a typical “pump and dump” scheme. In such cases, fraudsters artificially inflate the value of a cryptocurrency, lure investors, and subsequently sell their holdings, leaving unsuspecting buyers with worthless assets. Nolan highlighted that only 34 transactions were recorded for this coin, allowing the creators a modest potential profit of around £225.
He explained the typical operation of these scams: “Exploiters accumulate a significant portion of the coin’s supply prior to releasing it, encouraging uninformed users to invest, and then rapidly sell their tokens for quick gains. While potentially lucrative, this approach is highly deceptive.”
A spokesperson for Lucy Powell confirmed that her personal account was hacked, and immediate actions were taken to secure the account and eliminate erroneous posts. Additionally, a representative from the House of Commons clarified that no legitimate House of Commons crypto coin exists and reaffirmed the UK Parliament’s commitment to cyber security, offering guidance to members on managing digital risks.
