ZachXBT Exposes Social Media Manipulation Network: Leveraging Fake News to Drive Traffic to Crypto Scams, Involving Sums in the Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars

On March 23, on-chain detective ZachXBT exposed a coordinated network of at least 10 accounts targeting social platform X with panic-driven content—including war-related narratives—to funnel traffic to a crypto scam. The network buys accounts with existing followings, posts consistent sensationalist “apocalyptic” content, and uses multiple alt accounts to amplify reach via mutual retweets, quickly racking up millions of views and engagement. A probe into the group found it also deploys AI-generated fake personas—such as a counterfeit “Asian version of Mario Nawfal”—to boost credibility. Once traffic is captured, linked accounts push fake airdrops or crypto scams, including a pump-and-dump scheme called ORAMAMA heavily promoted on Feb. 22, 2026, before being abandoned. On-chain data shows the operation netted six-figure profits for its organizers. Notably, dozens of legitimate large accounts have unknowingly commented or retweeted the content, expanding its reach further. ZachXBT warned the “traffic farming + AI content + crypto scam” playbook is highly sophisticated and easy to replicate. If higher-level groups exploit similar tactics, the impact could go far beyond financial fraud—potentially becoming a tool for opinion manipulation. He called on platforms to step up oversight, impose bans, and pursue legal action against such manipulative behavior. Users are advised to vet account histories and sources carefully before engaging, to push back against the growing spread of fake content and “engagement bait” tactics.