Dean Norris, best known for his role as Hank Schrader in Breaking Bad, revealed that his X (formerly Twitter) account was hacked to promote a fraudulent meme coin named “DEAN.” The scheme used Norris’s likeness in a pump-and-dump operation.
In a video posted on 26 January 2025, Norris confirmed the hack, calling the DEAN token a “complete, fake scam.” The actor expressed frustration, blasting critics on Reddit for accusing him of involvement, stating, “Go fuck yourselves.”
The hacked post, which has since been removed, included an altered photo of Norris holding a paper featuring the memecoin’s name and launch date.
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Hackers Share Fake Video Of Dean Norris Endorsing Scam Token
Hackers also shared a manipulated video where Norris appeared to endorse the token, saying, “Hey, it’s me, Dean, and on January 25th, I’m declaring it’s real.”
Some Reddit users speculated that the video was either an AI-generated deepfake or a repurposed clip from Cameo, a platform where fans can pay celebrities for personalized messages. Norris is active on Cameo, raising concerns about how such videos can be misused.
The fraudulent token briefly surged to a market capitalization of $8.43 million on January 25, according to DexScreener. However, its value has since plummeted to under $60,000, with prices crashing by over 96%.
Norris later clarified that he rarely uses X and doesn’t have a Telegram account, adding, “I didn’t know I was hacked until friends started texting me about it.”
One of the most believable hackings/scams I’ve seen on here. They had a follow up tweet ready with a photoshopped notepad to “validate” it, had a cameo purchased of Dean Norris saying “Hey it’s me, Dean, it’s January 25th, I’m declaring, it’s real” https://t.co/dz5RYbh2U0 pic.twitter.com/BGF1xvtCls
— Tyler (@CowboysIn4) January 26, 2025
This isn’t the first time Norris’s account has been targeted. In November, on-chain investigator ZachXBT linked a similar hack to a group associated with a former Fortnite pro, which also compromised accounts of high-profile figures like Usher and McDonald’s.
The incident follows a broader trend of crypto-related scams, including a memecoin frenzy sparked by Donald Trump’s token launch on 18 January 2025, which briefly reached a $9 billion market cap.
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Web3 Workers Targeted By Malware Campaign
Last month, cybersecurity firm Cado Security Labs warned that Web3 professionals have become the latest victims of a sophisticated malware campaign. It employs fake meeting apps to steal sensitive credentials and crypto assets.
In a report, Cado’s threat research lead, Tara Gould, detailed that scammers are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to craft convincing websites and social media profiles that mimic legitimate companies.
The malicious app, initially called “Meeten,” has undergone several rebrands. It now operates as “Meetio” and previously used domains such as Clusee.com, Cuesee, Meeten.gg, and Meetone.gg.
Once downloaded, the app deploys a Realst information stealer to extract sensitive data. This includes Telegram logins, banking information, and cryptocurrency wallet credentials.
Similar schemes have surfaced recently. In August, on-chain investigator ZackXBT identified 21 developers, likely linked to North Korea. They were using fake identities to infiltrate crypto projects.
Additionally, in September, the FBI warned of North Korean hackers targeting crypto firms and decentralized finance (DeFi) projects with malware disguised as job offers.
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The post TV Star Dean Norris’ X Account Hacked To Promote Meme Coin Scam appeared first on 99Bitcoins.