$2.1B Crypto Losses Linked to Bribery Scheme — X Sounds the Alarm
X has uncovered a sophisticated bribery ring trying to get accounts back that were suspended for crypto scams and platform manipulation...
Quick overview
- X has uncovered a bribery ring attempting to recover suspended accounts linked to crypto scams, including those associated with Solana.
- The investigation revealed that middlemen approached employees with bribe offers on behalf of banned scammers, with connections to a cybercriminal group known as 'The Com.'
- Legal proceedings are ongoing, and X is cooperating with international law enforcement, with no confirmed employee involvement in accepting bribes.
- The revelation underscores the challenges X faces in combating cybercrime while preparing to launch X Money, a digital wallet service.
X has uncovered a sophisticated bribery ring trying to get accounts back that were suspended for crypto scams and platform manipulation, including some tied to Solana (SOL). Announced by the platform’s Global Government Affairs team on September 19, 2025, the investigation found that middlemen approached employees with bribe offers on behalf of scammers whose accounts had been banned.
This comes after a surge in crypto-related phishing attacks with over $2.1 billion in losses in early 2025. X also suspended over 335 million abusive accounts in late 2024. Users are praising the crackdown but calling for more transparency and protection against manipulation.
Global Crime Ring Targets Platforms
X said the bribery network went beyond its ecosystem and targeted social and gaming platforms including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Minecraft and Roblox. Investigators found connections to a cybercriminal group called “The Com” which has been linked to ransomware, SIM-swapping and cryptocurrency theft.
- Suspended accounts tried to get back in through intermediaries.
- Legal proceedings are ongoing and X is fully cooperating with international law enforcement.
- No confirmed employee participation in accepting bribes.
“The network operated through structured intermediaries,” X said, emphasizing its commitment to platform integrity. The announcement shows the ongoing challenges X faces in preventing coordinated abuse despite enforcement efforts.
Crypto Theft and Regulatory Implications
The bribery revelation highlights the broader cybercrime ecosystem with “The Com” identified by the FBI as a driver of online fraud. Subgroups like Hacker Com do phishing, ransomware, SIM-swapping and crypto theft. Many members are minors operating across multiple platforms, stealing funds to finance further crimes and sometimes extorting in real life.
Crypto theft is the primary motivator with criminals using malware, spoofing tools and encrypted communications to hide their identities. The announcement comes as X is about to launch X Money, a digital wallet with Visa. Legal and technical measures will remain a top priority as regulators will be scrutinizing X’s growing role in online finance and security.
The exposure of this bribery network shows X is committed to strengthening platform audits, enforcing compliance and restoring trust in the face of growing crypto-related cybercrime.
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