The Anita Coin Scam Hits Drake’s Followers Leading to $5 Million Scam in Just Hours

Hackers Exploit Drake's Reputation to Promote Scam Meme Coin

On 15 December 2024, blockchain investigator ZachXBT revealed a breach of Drake's X (formerly Twitter) account, which was hijacked to push a fraudulent Solana-based meme coin called “Anita.”

The scammers exploited the rapper’s high profile, leveraging his established relationship with the gambling platform, Stake, to give the scam an air of legitimacy.

Scammers Use Familiar Brand Partnerships to Mislead Followers

The fraudulent post, which quickly gained attention, claimed that the “Anita” coin was developed in collaboration with Stake, a platform Drake has openly worked with since 2022.

To further mislead his 39 million followers, the post also included a smart contract address and promotional material, making the scam appear authentic.

The token's name, "Anita," also cleverly referenced Drake's upcoming "Anita Max Wynn" tour in Australia and New Zealand, adding to the confusion.

Drake's "Anita Max Wynn" tour poster for his upcoming shows in Australia and New Zealand.

The allure of the rapper’s connection to gambling, combined with his known interest in cryptocurrencies, made it easier for the scammers to entice people into trading the coin.

In just a short time, over US$5 million worth of the fraudulent token was traded before the account was flagged and the content removed.

How the Scam Managed to Deceive Millions

The scam tactics used against Drake’s followers are a part of a rising trend of high-profile account hacks that aim to exploit celebrity endorsements for fake cryptocurrency ventures.

By impersonating trusted figures, fraudsters create a false sense of security, making it more difficult for potential victims to discern legitimate opportunities from scams.

The Anita scam also followed a familiar pattern seen in previous attacks.

Scammers have increasingly targeted prominent celebrities to push fraudulent tokens, and the Drake incident marks a high-profile example of how these scams leverage existing partnerships to appear genuine.

The Growing Threat of Crypto Scams on Social Media

This attack highlights the growing prevalence of crypto scams, particularly on platforms like X.

Blockchain security firm Scam Sniffer has reported a rise in fake crypto-related accounts, with more than 300 new fraudulent profiles appearing every day—up from 160 in November.

These scammers often impersonate influencers and celebrities to lure unsuspecting users into fraudulent Telegram groups where they are encouraged to verify their identity via a malicious bot, OfficialSafeguardBot.

Once victims engage, the bot employs social engineering tactics to instil urgency, tricking them into executing harmful commands.

This process injects malware into the user’s clipboard, which, if executed, can steal private keys and access cryptocurrency wallets.

Surge in Celebrity Hacks as Crypto Scams Gain Popularity

Drake is not the only celebrity to fall victim to hackers.

Recently, several high-profile accounts, including those of the Cardano Foundation, Cardi B, Doja Cat, and Metallica, have been used to promote fake tokens.

In the past month alone, a former eSports player named Serpent has been linked to hacks targeting celebrities like Usher, Wiz Khalifa, and Dean Norris (Hank from Breaking Bad).

This pattern suggests that scammers are exploiting periods of heightened market activity, with the current crypto bull run offering a prime opportunity to target newcomers looking for quick gains.

As the cryptocurrency market heats up, it is more crucial than ever for users to be cautious when encountering unknown offers online.

The Impact of Fake Memecoins on the Crypto Market

The "Anita" coin scam, despite the removal of fraudulent posts, caused significant damage.

Millions of dollars traded hands within hours, leaving many investors with losses before the truth came out.

This incident highlights the dangers of investing in unverified projects, especially those linked to celebrities.

Even with Drake involved, investors should always question the legitimacy of these opportunities, especially when cryptocurrencies and unknown tokens are involved.

Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, using social engineering and crypto manipulation.

The crypto community needs to be more vigilant and cautious than ever.