President’s 𝕏 Account Hacked, Used For Crypto Scam

Ghana’s President, John Mahama had his verified 𝕏 account hacked for 48 hours, with cybercriminals using it to promote a fake cryptocurrency scheme.

His spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that hackers used the account to push Solanafrica, a fraudulent crypto project.

The breach, which started on Saturday and was discovered the next day, saw posts falsely claiming Mahama was behind the initiative. The hackers promised that the project, based on the Solana blockchain, would make payments across Africa free. Followers were encouraged to invest, believing it was a legitimate opportunity.

Once Mahama’s team detected the compromise, the fake posts were deleted. However, even after removing them, the account continued sharing crypto-related content, including suggestions about launching a new memecoin.

Mahama’s spokesperson, Kwakye Ofosu, confirmed that immediate action was taken. “The President’s 𝕏 account was compromised, and we have taken action to regain control,” he told AFP on Tuesday. He reassured the public that the account had been fully restored and warned followers to ignore any suspicious cryptocurrency-related posts.

This incident highlights the growing issue of crypto scams in Africa. With digital assets gaining popularity, weak regulations have allowed fraudsters to exploit the system. Cybercriminals often hijack verified accounts of public figures to promote fake investment opportunities.

Similar cases have happened before. In July 2023, South African opposition leader Julius Malema’s 𝕏 account was hacked to promote a fraudulent token. Likewise, in 2022, Nigerian businessman Tony Elumelu’s account was used for fake crypto giveaways.

Cybersecurity experts have raised concerns over such breaches. They warn that high-profile figures, especially politicians, must strengthen their online security. Abubakar Issaka, a cybersecurity specialist at Ghana’s Centre for Cyberwatch and Data Protection, advised, “Prominent personalities, especially those in government, need to implement stringent backend security checks.”

He further stated, “Two-factor authentication alone is no longer enough. They must also monitor log-in activities, limit third-party app access, and have a dedicated team ensuring 24/7 surveillance of their accounts to detect and neutralize any suspicious activity before it escalates.”

The Solana blockchain has gained popularity in Africa due to its lower transaction fees compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum. Unfortunately, scammers have taken advantage of its name to deceive investors.

In response to the hack, Ofosu assured the public that all necessary measures had been taken to prevent further misuse of Mahama’s account. He stressed the need to secure online platforms from cybercriminals.
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