Dean Norris, known for his role as Hank Schrader in Breaking Bad, became embroiled in a memecoin incident after hackers accessed his X account. The attackers utilized his profile to promote the DEAN token, falsely attributing endorsements to the actor
The hackers sent out tweets announcing the introduction of the DEAN token, including with a contract address, and even distributed a bogus photograph of Norris holding a sign containing cryptocurrency information. To further confuse users, a modified video purportedly showed Norris approving the token, giving the illusion of credibility.
Later, Norris clarified in a statement that someone had hacked his account and that the DEAN token was a “complete fake scam.” He expressed anger with the ordeal, stating that he was ignorant of the breach until friends told him. Norris underlined that he rarely uses his X account and does not belong to any Telegram groups, denying suspicions of his involvement.
Blockchain data revealed that the token rapidly rose to a market capitalization of $8.43 million before plummeting by more than 96%, leaving investors with substantial losses. The incident shows an increasing tendency of scammers using celebrity accounts to operate “pump-and-dump” scams, in which token prices are artificially increased through deceptive advertisements before being sold for a profit.
Similar objectives have previously compromised Norris’ account. Previously, similar attacks hit other notable figures, emphasizing the importance of remaining vigilant in the crypto world.
Celebrity-endorsed cryptocurrency scams persist in blurring the distinction between legitimate marketing and fraudulent schemes, making it more challenging for the general public to distinguish between the two. The Norris incident provides yet another warning of the perils connected to the unpredictable world of cryptocurrencies.
