Migos Instagram account hacked; attackers target Solana co-founder, demand 40 BTC

The Migos Instagram account was hijacked this week in a disturbing blackmail attempt targeting Solana co-founder Raj Gokal. In a series of now-deleted posts, hackers shared what appeared to be Gokal’s private identity documents alongside demands for cryptocurrency payments.

The Migos Instagram account, which boasts over 6.5 million followers, posted at least seven compromising images on May 27. Two showed Gokal holding up his passport and driver’s license with all details clearly visible. The captions read:

“you should’ve paid the 40 btc” and “it was only 40 btc.. should’ve paid.”

Security experts say the attack highlights growing risks facing high-profile social media accounts.

“When hackers gain control of verified accounts like the Migos Instagram account, they gain instant credibility,” explained cybersecurity analyst Mark Henderson. “This was clearly a targeted extortion attempt.”

Private details exposed in alarming breach

Beyond the identity documents, the Migos Instagram account also shared what appeared to be:

• A photo allegedly showing Gokal’s wife holding her driver’s license

• Screenshots of private contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses

• Cryptic messages suggesting prior communication between hackers and the victim

The type of photos posted—showing individuals holding ID documents—mirrors verification processes used by cryptocurrency exchanges. However, the origin of these private images remains unclear.

Gokal had warned his followers days earlier about account takeover attempts. On May 20, he tweeted: “Attackers have been trying to take control of my email and social media accounts. Please be suspicious of any unusual posts.”

Social media platforms face mounting security concerns

The Migos Instagram account hack raises serious questions about platform security measures. Despite Instagram’s verification systems, hackers successfully commandeered the high-profile account.

“This wasn’t some amateur operation,” said digital forensics expert Dr. Lisa Yang. “The Migos Instagram account was clearly targeted for its massive reach. The hackers knew exactly what they were doing.”

Instagram’s parent company Meta has faced criticism for its handling of account security. While the Migos Instagram account was eventually recovered, the damaging posts remained visible for hours.

Cryptocurrency community reacts to targeted attack

The Solana community expressed outrage over the incident.

“This crosses a line,” tweeted Solana investor Michael Wu. “First they come for our wallets, now our identities.”

Solana Labs representatives confirmed they’re working with law enforcement. “We take these threats seriously and are supporting Raj through this violation of privacy,” a spokesperson told Cointelegraph.

Meanwhile, the Migos Instagram account has returned to normal operations, though followers remain shaken. “I’ve followed Migos for years,” commented user @CryptoKing. “Seeing their account used like this is terrifying.”

Experts warn of growing social media extortion trend

Security professionals note a worrying trend of verified accounts being weaponized.

“The Migos Instagram account is just the latest example,” said Henderson. “Hackers are realizing that compromising celebrity accounts gives them instant reach and credibility.”

Authorities recommend:

• Enabling two-factor authentication on all accounts

• Being cautious of suspicious login attempts

• Never sharing sensitive documents digitally

As for Gokal, he’s remained silent since the attack. The Solana Foundation confirmed its team is working to assess the damage and strengthen security measures.

The Migos Instagram account is a reminder that in our digital age, even the most secure-seeming platforms can become tools for extortion. With cryptocurrency values soaring, experts warn we may see more attacks targeting high-net-worth individuals in the space.

As the investigation continues, remember: in the battle for online security, verification badges offer no guarantee of protection.