Key Takeaways

• According to ZachXBT, scammers used AI to impersonate influencers like Mario Nawfal, posting sensationalized “doomposts” about geopolitical conflicts.

• The coordinated network generated millions of views to drive users toward fake crypto giveaways and pump-and-dump schemes.

• Despite X’s new anti-bot measures, the network successfully farmed engagement using purchased accounts with existing followers.

The crypto sleuth ZachXBT just pulled back the curtain on a pretty dark scheme on X. Apparently, a coordinated group has been ‘doomposting’—basically weaponizing fake or exaggerated news about global tragedies—to trick people into crypto scams.

What’s wild is they used AI to perfectly mimic the vibe of big-name influencers, which helped them slide right past most people’s scam radar. It worked, too; the group reportedly walked away with six-figure profits by preying on their followers’ fears.

ZachXBT uncovers AI-driven scam network on X

The mechanics of the scam were as effective as they were predatory. According to ZachXBT, the network consisted of more than ten linked accounts, many of which were likely purchased with established follower bases.

These accounts would flood the platform with sensationalized content about ongoing wars, often using AI-generated avatars or voice-overs to impersonate figures like Mario Nawfal.

Once the posts went viral and attracted millions of eyes, the accounts would pivot, slipping links to fraudulent token giveaways or “pump-and-dump” tokens like the “Oramama” scam into the replies and quote-posts.

Social media’s scam problem persists despite platform changes

This revelation serves as a major blow to X’s ongoing efforts to sanitize the platform. Just last month, X’s product chief Nikita Bier announced enhanced anti-bot detection and AI-generated content flags.

However, ZachXBT’s findings suggest that these measures are still struggling to keep pace with coordinated human-bot hybrids. The scary part is that plenty of huge, legit accounts were accidentally helping these scammers by replying to their ‘doomposts,’ which just pushed the fraud to more people.

The main takeaway? Be incredibly careful. If you see an account that spends all day posting angry political takes and then suddenly drops a ‘must-click’ crypto link, that’s a massive red flag. It’s a classic sign that the whole thing is a coordinated setup.

Final Thoughts

As AI becomes more adept at impersonation, the burden of proof is shifting to the user. ZachXBT’s report is a sobering reminder that on social media, the most “urgent” news is often just a front for the next rug pull.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is “doomposting” in this context?
It is the practice of sharing sensational or fake news about wars and disasters to drive high engagement for ulterior motives.

How did the scammers impersonate influencers?
They used AI tools to mimic the writing style and voice of prominent social media figures.

What is the “Oramama” scam?
It was a specific pump-and-dump crypto scheme promoted by this coordinated network of fake accounts.