Kenya’s DCI Regains Control After Hackers Promote Fake Cryptocurrency

Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations regained control of its X and Facebook accounts after hackers used them to promote a fake cryptocurrency called DCI. The cybercriminals framed their token as a blockchain initiative, misleading the public while offering tokens for likes. The DCI has since launched an investigation into the hacking incident, underscoring the rising trend of scams involving fake crypto projects affecting high-profile organizations.

On February 9, 2023, Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed they had reclaimed their X and Facebook accounts from hackers who had used them to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency. The agency is conducting an extensive investigation into this cybercrime, which compromised their social media presence.

The attackers launched a fake cryptocurrency, labeled as DCI, claiming it was a “blockchain project” aimed at helping Kenya significantly cut its budget expenditures. They proceeded to distribute the token’s “contract address” and asserted that it was already listed on several major cryptocurrency exchanges.

To bolster engagement, the hackers incentivized users by offering tokens in return for likes, urging followers to ask local media to promote the project. This deceptive campaign drew considerable attention on social media before the DCI swiftly deleted the malicious posts later that day.

The breach of the DCI’s accounts highlights a troubling trend where prominent organizations are targeted by cybercriminals focused on facilitating scams involving fake cryptocurrencies. Similar incidents have occurred globally, such as the breaches of Tanzanian billionaire Mohammed Dewji’s account and Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro’s account, which resulted in significant financial losses.

The incident involving the DCI serves as a crucial reminder of the increasing risks posed by cybercriminals targeting social media accounts for fraudulent schemes. Immediate action taken by the DCI to regain control demonstrated a proactive approach towards mitigating the impact of such hacks. Moreover, the ongoing investigation is essential to understanding and preventing similar attacks in the future.

Original Source: news.bitcoin.com