- British Cabinet minister Lucy Powell’s X account was hacked to promote a fake cryptocurrency called the “House of Commons Coin.”
- The misleading posts were quickly removed, and her account was secured following the breach.
In a bizarre turn of events, British Cabinet minister Lucy Powell’s official X account was hijacked Tuesday morning to promote a fictional cryptocurrency dubbed the “House of Commons Coin” ($HCC). The post, which briefly remained live, claimed the fake coin was “a community-driven digital currency bringing people’s power to the blockchain” — complete with buzzwords like “Transparency. Participation. Trust.”
A second tweet falsely announced the launch of the “official crypto coin,” directing users to a suspicious contact address. Both tweets were deleted shortly after.
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Powell, who currently serves as Leader of the House of Commons, has since regained control of her account. “Lucy Powell’s personal X account was hacked this morning,” said a spokesperson. “Steps were taken quickly to secure the account and remove misleading posts.”
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the digital security of public officials. A spokesperson for the U.K. Parliament noted that while cybersecurity is treated with utmost seriousness, “we do not comment on specific details of our cyber security policies.”
This is not the first time high-profile British figures have been targeted in similar crypto-themed hacks. BBC journalist Nick Robinson was hacked in February, with his account promoting a fake cryptocurrency tied to Radio 4’s Today program. In January, fellow BBC presenter Laura Kuenssberg’s account was used to advertise fictional “BBC memecoins,” pitched as “the next big face of digital finance.”
These recurring attacks underscore the ongoing vulnerability of public figures to online impersonation and cryptocurrency scams. While the damage appears limited in Powell’s case, the rapid spread of misinformation through verified channels remains a troubling issue in the digital age.
As cryptocurrency continues to attract both legitimate investors and malicious actors, experts are urging stronger digital safeguards — especially for those in positions of public trust.
