Turns out fame doesn’t come with scam immunity — just ask Jason Derulo, Caitlyn Jenner, or Tom Brady. Apparently, even when you’ve got Grammys, gold medals, or Super Bowl rings, the internet still finds a way to embarrass you.
In this publication, we're uncovering a fast-moving scam trend sweeping across social media and the crypto world — and it’s taken more than a few celebrities (and their followers) for a very expensive ride. Let’s dive in.
Crypto scams — from fake endorsements to hacked social accounts — are targeting celebrities and their fans, draining millions through shady memecoins, phishing links, and pump-and-dump schemes.
How It Works:
There are several layers to these celebrity-linked crypto scams, but here’s how the playbook usually goes:
-
The Setup:
A celebrity launches or appears to endorse a new crypto token. This can happen through official channels — or because their social media gets hacked. -
The Promotion:
Fans see posts on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, get excited, and start buying in — fast. Prices surge. -
The Dump:
Those behind the coin sell off large holdings after the hype hits, crashing the price and leaving everyone else with worthless tokens. -
The Fallout:
The celebrity either denies involvement or claims they were misled/hacked — but the damage (to investors and reputations) is already done.
Who’s Targeted:
- Crypto-curious fans who trust celebrities and influencers
- Social media followers looking to invest early in the “next big thing”
- Even the celebs themselves, who may not fully understand what they’re endorsing — or are being impersonated
Real-Life Examples:
Jason Derulo launched a memecoin named JASON, promoted it online, and watched its value crash by over 70% within days. He later accused crypto figure Sahil Arora of manipulating the coin in a classic pump-and-dump scheme.
Caitlyn Jenner reported a nearly identical experience — also pointing fingers at Arora, claiming he pushed a fraudulent coin under her name and exploited her brand without transparency.
Kylian Mbappé’s X account was hacked to promote a fake coin (MBAPPE), which briefly hit a multimillion-dollar market cap before collapsing to zero.
Metallica and 🎬 Sydney Sweeney suffered the same fate — their hacked accounts were used to push scam coins that resulted in losses of $10 million and $13 million, respectively.
Tom Brady wasn’t hacked — he was an official ambassador for crypto exchange FTX, which later imploded in spectacular fashion. He and ex-wife Gisele Bündchen, among other stars, are now facing lawsuits from users who claim they were misled by the endorsements.
Why You Should Care:
These scams don’t just cost celebrities their reputations — they cost regular people real money. Millions of fans have lost savings chasing hype from hacked accounts or manipulated memecoins. If it can happen to them, it can absolutely happen to anyone online.
You might not be trying to launch your own token, but you’re still exposed every time you scroll social media or follow an influencer’s financial advice.
How to Protect Yourself:
• Don’t Trust, Verify
Just because a celeb posts about a coin doesn't mean it's legit. Always look for third-party coverage, real project documentation, and team transparency.
• Beware the Hype
If a coin's only value comes from a viral tweet or meme, it's likely not built to last.
• Check for Hacks
If a star suddenly starts shilling crypto, especially on X, look for signs their account may have been hacked — bad grammar, off-brand posts, or deleted tweets are all red flags.
• Use Cold Wallets & Reputable Exchanges
Only store your crypto on platforms you trust. Never click links directly from social media posts, even from accounts you follow.
• Follow the Lawsuits
Cases like FTX show that just because someone famous endorses something doesn’t mean it's safe. In fact, it might be a signal to dig deeper.
Quick Tips & Updates:
Quick Tip #1: Did you know? Celebrities can be sued for promoting crypto if it's not clearly marked as a paid partnership — especially when the project collapses.
Pro Tip: If a new coin skyrockets overnight with no clear utility, it’s probably a pump-and-dump — and you’ll be left holding the bag.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Keywords:
• Pump-and-Dump – A scheme where a coin’s value is artificially inflated then sold off for profit, leaving others with losses.
• Phishing Scam – A fraudulent attempt to gain access to private information through fake emails or hacked accounts.
• Memecoin – A cryptocurrency that gains popularity more from memes and social media than actual utility.
• FTX Collapse – One of the most infamous crypto exchange failures, now linked to multiple celebrity lawsuits.
• Crypto Endorsement Fraud – When public figures promote tokens or platforms that later turn out to be scams.
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