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On September 19, 2025, X announced that it had found a bribery network to reclaim suspended cryptocurrency accounts. The company's Global Government Affairs team states that scammers provided money to employees to access prohibited profiles.
The suspended crypto scam accounts were related to the manipulation of the platform. The news follows a rise in phishing attempts across the digital asset sector, as over $2.1 billion is lost to crypto-related fraud in the first half of 2025. X also removed over 335 million abusive accounts in late 2024, and this shows the level of work done to abuse the platform. Although its user feedback was highly positive, many demanded much better protection and better transparency on the enforcement activity in the future.
In its official statement, X stated that the bribery operation was not limited to its platform. The same actors had links to "The Com," a cybercriminal network already under investigation by law enforcement agencies. Reports suggest the group also targeted Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Minecraft, and Roblox communities.
"Suspended accounts involved in crypto scams and manipulation of the platform made payments to middlemen to try and bribe employees," the company posted on its Global Government Affairs account. Legal proceedings are underway against those involved, with X vowing its full support to international authorities. The company refused to clarify whether any employees took bribes but stressed that the network operated through organised intermediaries.
Also Read: ED Cracks Down on Rs. 260 Crore Crypto Scam Network in Delhi, NCR, Gurugram
The Federal Bureau of Investigation previously defined The Com as a global cybercrime ecosystem. Its affiliate group, Hacker Com, has been associated with phishing, SIM-swapping, ransomware, and cryptocurrency theft. Law enforcement indicates that most members are minors using various platforms.
Investigators also say the group uses stolen assets to invest in other schemes, frequently turning on each other during disputes. Some instances have turned into extortion and real-life violence. Cryptocurrency theft is their primary reason, and members use malware, spoofing tools, and encrypted communications to conceal their activities and recover stolen funds.
The bribery scandal emerged as X was about to launch X Money, a digital wallet developed in partnership with Visa. Observers say regulators will likely examine the company's fraud-prevention measures as it continues to explore online finance.
