Impersonation of Cointelegraph on Social Media

Fake accounts are posing as Cointelegraph on platforms like Telegram, X, and LinkedIn, targeting businesses with offers of dubious PR services. Users are often directed to provide personal payment information.

In October 2025, a profile under the name Tobias Vilkenson | Cointelegraph contacted BNB Chain, pretending to arrange an article feature, which led back to an X account with around 6,000 followers. This highlights a common scam tactic where impersonators exploit the reputation of legitimate news organizations.

Impersonation Crime

Other Cointelegraph journalists, such as Erhan Kahraman, Turner Wright, and Amin (Ruholamin) Haqshanas, have also reported their identities being misused this year.

The Increase of Impersonators in 2025

This impersonation epidemic extends beyond Cointelegraph, manifesting widely in the crypto sphere by exploiting relationships to access private information and funds. Here are noted incidents:

1. August 2025: Fake CoinMarketCap journalists contacted projects using misleading email addresses, attempting to gain access through video calls.
2. September 2025: Cloned branding of the popular Empire podcast was used to lure influencers into recording calls, leading to malware installation on devices.
3. April 2025: A deepfake of Hong Kong’s Chief Executive proliferated misinformation regarding investment plans.
4. March 2025: Over 100 Australians received SMS messages claiming their Binance accounts were compromised, pressuring them to transfer funds.
5. Summer 2025: Nearly 5,000 reports of scam impersonations were filed with the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority.

The common denominator across these incidents is the leveraging of apparently trustworthy identities to illicitly gain access to private conversations.

Why is Impersonation Increasing?

Two factors have contributed to the rise in impersonation. Firstly, X altered its verification system, allowing cloned accounts to seem legitimate without true verification. Secondly, the broader consumer fraud landscape has burgeoned, with the US Federal Trade Commission reporting unprecedented financial losses from such scams.

The Impostor Tactics

Typical scam patterns include:

• Requesting to switch to private messaging apps like Telegram.
• Asking for fees under pretenses of priority services.
• Sending links that require urgent attention, often resulting in phishing attacks.

Verification has never been more crucial, where checking official communication channels can prevent falling victim to these scams. Cointelegraph emphasizes its independence in journalism by separating editorial efforts from sponsorships, suggesting users always verify outreach claims through direct website channels.

Ways to Recognize Fake Accounts

1. The account handle is slightly misspelled.
2. The account has little history or engagement.
3. Quick pivots to off-platform conversation often indicate scams.
4. Mentioning payments in unsolicited messages is a warning sign.
5. Unusual links or domains should raise suspicion.

Conclusion

Cointelegraph upholds a commitment to transparency and safety, offering resources necessary for verifying information before sharing personal data. The rise in impersonation scams calls for public scrutiny and caution in all interactions online.