UK Lawmaker's X Account Hacked to Boost Scam 'House of Commons Coin'
In a shocking turn of events, the X account of UK Member of Parliament and Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell, was hacked in an attempt to promote a scam crypto token called the "House of Commons Coin" (HOC).
The scammers took advantage of Powell's influence as a high-profile public figure to deceive her 2.4 million followers into investing in the questionable cryptocurrency project. The X account shared links to the HOC token, describing it as "a community-driven digital currency," in a series of now-deleted posts on April 15.
A member of Powell's staff confirmed to the BBC that the account had been hacked and that "steps were taken quickly to secure the account and remove misleading posts." The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with investing in cryptocurrencies and the importance of verifying the authenticity of any investment opportunity.
The Limited Success of the Scam Token
Despite Powell's attempts to promote the scam token, its market value peaked at just over $24,000, which is a relatively small fraction compared to other successful cryptocurrency projects. According to DEX Screener, the HOC token saw limited interest from would-be investors, achieving a peak market cap of just over $24,000 shortly after the posts from Powell's account.
The token has seen a total of 736 transactions and a trading volume of just $71,000, indicating that it failed to gain significant traction in the market. The failure of the scam token is a testament to the skepticism surrounding cryptocurrency projects that promise unusually high returns with little risk.
A Pattern of Scamming Politicians
This incident is not an isolated event, as similar attacks have been reported on other high-profile politicians. In March 2025, the X account of Ghana's President John Mahama was hacked to promote a scam cryptocurrency called Solanafrica. The scammers took over Mahama's account for 48 hours, sharing misleading information with his followers and claiming that the scam project was "making payments fast and free across the continent with support from Solana and the Bank of Ghana."
The president's team regained control of Mahama's X account two days later, and his spokesman urged the public to disregard any suspicious cryptocurrency-related posts from the handle. The incident highlights the need for increased cybersecurity measures to protect the online presence of high-profile politicians.
A Cautionary Tale for Investors
The hacking of Lucy Powell's X account serves as a warning to investors who may be tempted by unverified investment opportunities. Cryptocurrency investing can be highly volatile, and it is essential to do thorough research and verify the authenticity of any project before investing.
Furthermore, this incident highlights the importance of cybersecurity measures in protecting high-profile politicians' online presence. As the use of social media continues to grow, it is crucial for public figures to take proactive steps to safeguard their accounts from hacking attempts.
A Call for Government Action
UK trade bodies have already called on the government to make cryptocurrency a "strategic priority," and this incident highlights the need for increased regulation and oversight of the industry. By implementing robust regulations, governments can help prevent scams like the one targeting Lucy Powell's X account.
It is essential for lawmakers to take a proactive approach to addressing the risks associated with cryptocurrency investing, including scamming attempts on high-profile politicians' social media accounts. By doing so, they can help protect investors and promote transparency in the industry.