Rapper and entrepreneur 50 Cent’s Twitter account was hacked, resulting in a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme that netted the hackers a staggering $3 million in just 30 minutes. The incident highlights the growing threat of cybercrime on social media platforms and the importance of vigilance among followers and tech companies.

The breach, which targeted 50 Cent's account on Twitter, now known as X, was first reported by 'The Jasmine Brand.' The hackers exploited the rapper’s well-known name and his extensive social media following to promote a fake cryptocurrency called "$GUNIT." The fraudulent tweets also included disparaging remarks about another cryptocurrency, further adding to the confusion and urgency among followers.

Mario Nawfal, a vigilant follower, was among the first to notice something was amiss. Nawfal tweeted, "BREAKING: 50 Cent is posting about his alleged new memecoin $GUNIT, and attacking Tate and his token. The memecoin is currently under $1m market cap, which indicates this is likely a hack. We are not able to verify if 50 Cent was hacked, but my guess is yes."

Nawfal's keen observation quickly garnered attention, leading to further scrutiny of the suspicious activity. As the scam unfolded, the hackers leveraged 50 Cent's influential platform to lure unsuspecting investors into purchasing the fraudulent cryptocurrency. The rapid dissemination of the fake promotion allowed the cybercriminals to accumulate $3 million before the breach was identified and contained.

Upon realizing his account had been compromised, 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, took swift action to alert his followers and mitigate the damage. "My Twitter & Thisis50.com was hacked," he tweeted. "I have no association with this crypto." Jackson emphasized the speed of Twitter’s response in securing his account, stating, "Twitter worked quickly to lock my account back down. Whoever did this made $3,000,000 in 30 minutes."

The rapper also acknowledged and reposted tweets from users who had spotted the scam early, particularly highlighting Nawfal's timely warning. This collective effort from the community played a crucial role in limiting the extent of the damage caused by the hack.

While the exact details of how the hackers gained access to 50 Cent's account remain unclear, the event has sparked discussions about the security protocols of social media platforms and the need for heightened awareness among users. High-profile accounts are often prime targets for cybercriminals due to their extensive reach and influence, making them valuable tools for spreading misinformation and executing scams.