X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has revealed a major bribery network involving suspended crypto scammers and a notorious hacker group. The scheme reportedly tried to pay employees through middlemen to reinstate banned accounts, showing how organized cybercriminals have become.
Bribery Network Exploits Social Platforms
According to X, the bribery ring was not run by isolated individuals. Instead, it involved multiple people working together, attempting to influence employees to regain access to suspended accounts. These accounts were previously banned for crypto-related scams and platform manipulation.
Investigators found that the scammers hired middlemen to act as go-betweens. These intermediaries approached employees at X and other platforms, offering payments in exchange for account reinstatement, which means getting a blocked social media account back.
The company confirmed that the network extended beyond X, touching other major platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Minecraft, and Roblox.
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X worked closely with blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis to trace the flow of funds and uncover the operation. Blockchain analytics is technology that tracks cryptocurrency transactions to see where money is going, which helped investigators pinpoint the individuals involved and dismantle the bribery network. The platform emphasized that this action highlights the dangers posed by insiders who may be tempted to accept bribes, which could undermine the integrity of social media services.
FBI Monitors Hacker Group ‘The Com’
The bribery ring is linked to a hacker group known as The Com, which the FBI has been monitoring. The agency described the group as a mostly youth-led organization involved in cybercrime, fraud, and online trolling.
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Over the last four years, The Com has reportedly grown more skilled in hiding their identities and obscuring financial transactions. They use advanced methods to launder money and avoid detection, making their operations highly sophisticated. The FBI confirmed that the group’s activity spans multiple platforms, showing a clear pattern of organized cybercrime.
Authorities say The Com is connected to several recent cases of crypto and online fraud. The bribery attempts uncovered at X are part of a broader strategy used by such groups to exploit vulnerabilities in social media and digital payment systems.
Growing Threat of Crypto Scams and Insider Bribery
Crypto scams on social platforms are not new, but the recent discovery shows that scammers are becoming more inventive. Instead of only phishing for victims or stealing cryptocurrency directly, criminals are now attempting to manipulate insiders to regain control of suspended accounts.
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X pointed out that these schemes threaten trust in platform moderation and user safety. When scammers can buy their way back onto platforms, it undermines the security of social media environments and the confidence users have in digital communities.
The company stated that it is increasing protections against insider threats and working with law enforcement, including the FBI, to hold all involved parties accountable. This includes not only the suspended users and middlemen but also the broader networks orchestrating such scams.
Authorities also highlighted that bribery in cybercrime is part of a wider pattern. Similar schemes have occurred in the past on platforms like Coinbase, illustrating that insider threats and corruption are key tools for organized cybercriminals.
By uncovering the bribery ring, X has demonstrated the growing need for vigilance in online spaces. The platform continues to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to address the network of criminals behind these operations and prevent further abuse of social media accounts and digital payment systems.