A coordinated crypto scam falsely claiming to be linked to Elon Musk has been spreading across Instagram, Discord, and other social platforms, according to dozens of user reports. The scheme typically begins when a trusted friend’s account suddenly posts or sends images showing a fake Elon Musk tweet promoting a “new crypto casino” and a supposed $2,500 bonus.
In many cases, the friends sharing these images were later confirmed to have hacked accounts, not acting intentionally. Victims report that after registering on the promoted casino website, their own accounts were sometimes used to spam the same images to contacts, creating a rapid chain reaction.
The scam websites follow a consistent pattern: users are shown fake winnings immediately after registration, but withdrawals are blocked unless a “verification” deposit is made—commonly $60, followed by additional fees such as $150 or more. No withdrawals are ever processed, and the requests continue indefinitely.
Cybersecurity discussions suggest that account takeovers may occur through stolen browser cookies, malicious links, or compromised devices, allowing attackers to bypass passwords and even two-factor authentication in some cases. Several users reported account breaches despite using strong, unique passwords and password managers.
Importantly, Elon Musk has never announced or promoted any crypto casino, giveaway, or bonus, and the screenshots circulating are fabricated. Experts stress that legitimate casinos do not require upfront payments to unlock withdrawals and do not use celebrities to distribute “free money.”
Users who interacted with the scam are advised to immediately change passwords, enable or reset two-factor authentication, revoke active sessions, scan devices for malware, and monitor financial accounts closely. Those who entered card or banking details are urged to contact their bank without delay.
As this scam continues to circulate under different domain names, users are reminded that if an offer looks too good to be true—especially when tied to a public figure—it almost certainly is.
