UK Minister Lucy Powell’s X account was hacked to promote a fake cryptocurrency scam. The incident reflects a broader trend of hacks targeting figures with large followings. Experts label this attack a “pump and dump” scheme that netted minimal profit. Cybersecurity reports reveal a rise in account hacks this year, with preventative measures advised.
UK Minister Lucy Powell’s X account was hacked on Tuesday as part of a cryptocurrency scam, which promoted a fraudulent “House of Commons” digital currency named “$HCC.” The hackers published several messages from her account, claiming it to be a digital currency that empowers people by utilising blockchain technology. Powell, who has approximately 70,000 followers, responded quickly to secure her account and remove the misleading posts once aware of the breach.
The cyberattack mirrors recent similar incidents involving other notable figures, such as BBC journalist Nick Robinson, who also fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam by inadvertently clicking a phishing email. There has been an increase in attacks targeting public personas with significant social media followings, indicating a troubling trend.
Luke Nolan, a senior research associate, identified this incident as a traditional “pump and dump” scheme, where scammers inflate the price of a pretend cryptocurrency and sell for profit before its value collapses. Surprisingly, the fraudulent coin only attracted 34 transactions, resulting in a mere £225 profit for the hackers, underscoring the limited success of this attempt.
Reports indicate a significant rise in hacking incidents in 2024, with Action Fraud documenting over 35,000 cases of social media and email account compromises. Security experts warn that many breaches originate from deceptive emails leading to fake websites that harvest user credentials. The UK Parliament emphasized the importance of cybersecurity, providing general safety advice without disclosing detailed practices.
To mitigate risks, Action Fraud recommends using two-factor authentication and creating strong, unique passwords composed of three random words. Lucy Powell has been serving as the House of Commons Leader since Labour’s return to power, focusing on legislative scheduling and the protection of backbench MPs’ rights.
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