- UK politician Lucy Powell’s X account was recently compromised to promote a fake cryptocurrency
- The fraudulent posts were swiftly deleted, and the account has been secured
- This incident has raised concerns about the cybersecurity of public figures’ social media accounts
British Cabinet minister Lucy Powell’s X account was recently hacked to advertise a fictitious cryptocurrency named “House of Commons Coin” ($HCC). The unauthorized posts, which were since been removed, falsely claimed the coin was an official initiative, emphasizing themes like “Transparency. Participation. Trust.” This breach has intensified discussions about the digital security measures in place for high-profile individuals.
$HCC Hack Taken “Extremely Seriously”
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Lucy Powell, the Leader of the House of Commons and Labour MP for Manchester Central, experienced a security breach on her official X account. The compromised account disseminated messages promoting a non-existent cryptocurrency dubbed “House of Commons Coin” ($HCC).
One of the posts proclaimed, “House of Commons official crypto coin is now live!” and directed users to an external site, urging them to connect their crypto wallets to invest in the coin. These misleading messages were promptly deleted after the breach was identified.
A spokesperson for Ms. Powell confirmed the breach, stating, “Lucy Powell’s personal X account was hacked this morning. Steps were taken quickly to secure the account and remove misleading posts.” The UK Parliament also addressed the incident, emphasizing their commitment to cybersecurity: “UK Parliament takes cyber security extremely seriously. We provide advice to users – including Members – to make them aware of the risks and how to manage their digital safety.”
Expansion of Celebrity Theme
This event is part of a growing trend where hackers target the social media accounts of prominent figures to promote fraudulent schemes. Earlier this year, BBC journalists Laura Kuenssberg and Nick Robinson faced similar breaches, with their accounts being used to advertise fake cryptocurrencies.
Cybersecurity experts, like Nathaniel Jones from Darktrace, have highlighted the evolving nature of such threats, noting that the anonymity inherent in the cryptocurrency market makes tracking and combating fraud increasingly complex.
The incident underscores the pressing need for enhanced digital security protocols for public figures. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, ensuring the integrity of official communication channels is paramount to maintaining public trust and preventing the spread of misinformation.
