The Vancouver NHL Canucks X account was hacked in a sophisticated crypto scam involving a deepfake video of Elon Musk. The breach led to fraudulent posts promoting a fake $Canucks meme coin, leaving fans and crypto enthusiasts alarmed.20 million in crypto giveaways, gave the scheme an air of legitimacy that fooled many followers. The breach lasted several hours during peak engagement times, spreading rapidly across hockey and crypto communities before being shut down.
Hackers take over Vancouver NHL Canucks X account
On Monday, the official Vancouver NHL Canucks X account posted a promotion for a supposed $Canucks token on the Solana blockchain. The post claimed the team was the “first NHL team to ever do this,” capping the pre-sale at 1,000 SOL.
However, the team quickly confirmed the account was compromised, stating:
“Please disregard any recent posts until further notice. We are working with the platform and the NHL to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
The fraudulent posts remained live for hours before being taken down, coinciding with the NHL Draft Lottery—raising concerns about the timing of the attack.
Deepfake Elon Musk video fuels crypto giveaway scam
Alongside the fake token promotion, hackers embedded a deepfake video of Elon Musk promising a “$20 million crypto giveaway.” The video directed users to a suspicious website, reportedly hosted in Russia.
This tactic mirrors previous crypto scams where bad actors use deepfake technology to impersonate high-profile figures like Musk. The Vancouver NHL Canucks X account breach highlights the growing sophistication of social media crypto fraud.
Hackers engage with users before being exposed
Even after the initial scam post, the hackers actively replied to concerned followers. When one user questioned if the Vancouver NHL Canucks X account was hacked, the attackers denied it—only for the team’s PR account to later confirm the breach.
This isn’t the first time a hockey-related account has been targeted. Former Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack previously fell victim to a similar hack, where scammers rebranded his profile to push a fraudulent crypto scheme.
Why this hack is a major concern
The Vancouver NHL Canucks X account hack raises serious security questions:
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Deepfake manipulation: The use of AI-generated videos makes scams harder to detect.
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Timing of attack: The breach occurred just before a major NHL event, maximizing visibility.
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Engagement tactics: Hackers directly interacted with users to maintain credibility.
Experts warn that verified accounts, like the Vancouver NHL Canucks X account, are prime targets due to their large followings and perceived trustworthiness.
How to avoid falling for crypto scams
Fans and crypto traders should stay vigilant:
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Verify announcements: Always check official team websites for confirmation.
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Avoid suspicious links: Never interact with unknown crypto giveaways.
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Report fake accounts: Flag fraudulent posts to help prevent further scams.
The Vancouver NHL Canucks X account incident serves as a reminder that even verified profiles can be compromised. As deepfake technology evolves, social media platforms must strengthen security to protect users from such exploits.
Final thoughts
The Vancouver NHL Canucks X account hack marks one of the most sophisticated sports-related crypto scams to date, highlighting growing concerns about AI-powered fraud targeting verified social media accounts. Cybersecurity experts warn that such attacks are becoming increasingly common, with sports teams particularly vulnerable due to their large, trusting fanbases and high-profile status. The Canucks organization has since launched an internal investigation while working with X (formerly Twitter) and NHL security teams to prevent future breaches.
Stay tuned fto The Bit gazette or updates as the Vancouver NHL Canucks X account works to restore security and prevent future breaches.
