This was a real Facebook incident, but it happened in late October and early November 2021—not in 2026. Facebook reportedly verified a page impersonating Elon Musk, despite the page identifying itself as a fan page. The page copied Musk’s posts, attracted roughly 153,000–154,000 followers or likes, and promoted a fake Bitcoin giveaway promising to return more cryptocurrency than victims sent. There is no evidence in the available reporting that Musk endorsed the offer or that Meta operated the scheme.
What Facebook actually verified
The verified entity was reportedly a Facebook fan or public-figure page, not Elon Musk’s genuine personal account. Contemporary reporting described a page using the name and URL ElonMuskoffici. Its About section allegedly said it was a fan page that posted Musk’s tweets, yet the page also carried a blue verification badge and a “Public Figure” designation.
The page was reportedly managed from Egypt while Musk was based in the United States. Its public feed reproduced Musk’s real tweets and images, and reports put its audience at approximately 153,000 followers or 154,000 likes, depending on the snapshot and timestamp. Engadget also reported that the page had previously operated under another name, changed names several times, and adopted an Elon Musk-related identity shortly before the incident. Those details indicate impersonation, but they do not establish who operated the page.
Engadget’s November 1, 2021 report is the strongest contemporary account available. Tech Times published a contemporaneous description with a similar follower estimate.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
- BITCOIN EXCLUSIVE, PHONE VERIFICATION: Bitkey is designed from the ground up exclusively for bitcoin — a dedicated hardware wallet for secure bitcoin storage. Approve transactions with a tap using your phone and NFC. No device screen is required.
- SELF-CUSTODY, NO EXCHANGE OR CUSTODIAN REQUIRED: You hold two of the three keys in the Bitkey system – one on your phone and one on your Bitkey device. The third is stored on Bitkey’s server and cannot move your bitcoin on its own.
- NO SEED PHRASE: Set up and use Bitkey without creating or storing a seed phrase.
- 2-of-3 MULTISIG: Three keys are stored separately across your phone, Bitkey device, and Bitkey’s server. Any two keys are required to move your bitcoin.
- BUILT-IN RECOVERY: Encrypted backup and recovery tools can help you regain access if you lose your phone or Bitkey device. You can also designate a Recovery Contact.
How the Bitcoin scam worked
The page inserted a fake cryptocurrency giveaway among copied Musk posts. The offer followed a familiar advance-payment fraud pattern:
- A scammer adopts a celebrity’s name, image and real content.
- The account gains trust through a verification badge and a large audience.
- A post promises to double Bitcoin or provide a larger return for a limited-time payment.
- Users are directed to send cryptocurrency to a wallet address or external site.
- The promised payment never arrives.
“Send Bitcoin and receive twice as much back” is not a legitimate giveaway mechanism. Blockchain transfers generally cannot be reversed by a platform, and the available reporting does not establish the amount stolen, the number of victims, the wallet used or the identity of the operator. Benzinga’s contemporary coverage also described the promotion as a fake Bitcoin giveaway.
Rank #2
- Unparalleled Security: Protect your assets NDA-free EAL 6+ Secure Element, offering robust defense and complete transparency
- Simple & Secure Interface: Manage your digital assets easily with a clear OLED screen for secure on-device confirmations
- Supports 1000s of Coins & Tokens: Securely handle thousands of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more, all in one wallet
- Effortless Asset Management: Monitor and transact seamlessly with Trezor Suite, our intuitive desktop and mobile app
- Enhanced Backup Solution: Rest assured with Multi-share Backup, eliminating single points of failure for secure cold wallet recovery
Why the page looked convincing
The fraud combined several signals that users often treat as proof of authenticity:
- a blue verification badge;
- Musk’s real name and likeness;
- copied tweets and photographs;
- a large follower or like count;
- a “Public Figure” label;
- a URL resembling an official account; and
- a cryptocurrency pitch associated with a celebrity known for discussing digital assets.
A badge authenticates an account under a platform’s verification process; it does not verify every post, link, investment claim or giveaway. A genuine account can also be hacked, renamed or repurposed, and badge programs can differ by product, country, date and eligibility rules. A screenshot of a badge is not proof that the live page is currently verified.
Rank #3
- Secure element (EAL6+ certified) and passphrase protection for bullet-proof physical security
- Two-button pad device interface, designed for user-friendly operation
- Bright OLED display for easy & secure hands-on verification
- PIN & passphrase enabled for on-device protection
- Fully open-source design for transparent security
What may have gone wrong in verification
Facebook reportedly required identity evidence such as a driver’s license or passport for verification, but no public account explains how this particular page passed review. Several possibilities remain open:
- Reviewers may have assessed eligibility without adequately confirming that the page represented the real person.
- The page’s fan-page disclosure, official-sounding name and URL may not have been reconciled.
- Its earlier names may not have triggered a sufficiently detailed history review.
- Human or automated checks may have missed the mismatch between the page’s description and its apparent identity.
- The badge may have been granted before the scam promotion appeared.
These are possible explanations, not established findings. It is inaccurate to say that Meta verified Elon Musk himself, approved the giveaway or profited from it. The better description is that a scammer exploited Facebook’s verification and distribution systems to make an impersonating page appear credible.
Rank #4
- Dual-chip architecture for maximum protection: The next-gen, fully auditable TROPIC01 chip works alongside a certified EAL6+ Secure Element—completely NDA-free—to deliver radically transparent, industry-leading defense against physical attacks.
- Quantum-ready security: Get protection against future threats with the first-ever hardware wallet designed with quantum-ready architecture.
- See every detail with confidence: Our largest high-resolution color touchscreen makes it easy to navigate your assets, review transactions and manage your coins with clarity.
- Wireless freedom with encrypted Bluetooth control: Manage, buy, swap and stake securely using Trezor Suite on desktop or mobile. Qi2-compatible wireless charging keeps your Trezor powered up. No cables required—security meets convenience.
- Works seamlessly with Android, iOS and desktop: Connect wirelessly or via USB-C to your phone or computer. Manage your crypto anywhere with our companion Trezor Suite app.
What happened after the reports
Engadget reported that the page later became unavailable. The report did not establish whether Facebook removed it, the operator deleted it, or another account action caused the disappearance. Facebook had not provided a detailed public explanation in that coverage. The page’s unavailability also would not recover cryptocurrency already sent, and it does not by itself demonstrate that the broader verification problem was permanently solved.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to check a celebrity crypto promotion
Use this checklist before trusting a verified page or sending money:
Recommended Free Tools
Best Value
- Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
- Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
- Enjoy Bluetooth connectivity, iOS access, and hours of battery use with this mobile-first, secure backup signer. Freedom you can depend on.
- Genuine Check: confirm your signer is authentic during setup with the Ledger Wallet app.
- Protect your signer: keep it in mint condition at all times with a bespoke Pod or Case to avoid scratches and everyday wear and tear.
- Confirm the identity independently. Compare the profile with an official website or another independently confirmed account, rather than relying on a link in the suspicious post.
- Inspect the account history. Look for creation date, prior names, location information and unusual changes in identity. Facebook’s Page Transparency and related history panels may help where available.
- Read the About section. A page that calls itself a fan page should not be treated as the celebrity’s official account.
- Check every character in the username and domain. Misspellings, extra words and “official” labels are common impersonation signals.
- Reject guaranteed or outsized returns. No legitimate celebrity giveaway requires sending Bitcoin first to unlock a larger payment.
- Avoid off-platform pressure. Requests to move to Telegram, WhatsApp, email or a private chat, especially with a countdown, are warning signs.
- Do not connect a wallet or open an external giveaway link. A site may seek funds, passwords or wallet permissions even when the original post looks authentic.
Comments filled with apparent success stories, copied posts interrupted by unrelated financial promotions, and frequent page-name changes are additional reasons to stop and verify.
What to do if you sent funds
- Contact the exchange or wallet provider immediately. They may be able to flag the address or preserve records, although a completed blockchain transfer may not be reversible.
- Save screenshots, the page and post URLs, wallet addresses, transaction IDs, timestamps and messages.
- Report the page and post through Facebook’s reporting tools, and report the transaction to relevant law-enforcement or consumer-protection authorities.
- Beware of “recovery” services that demand an upfront fee, remote device access or additional cryptocurrency. They are frequently a second scam.
Meta’s help guidance says impersonators commonly request money or personal information and advises users to slow down, verify claims independently and avoid sending funds or sensitive data: Facebook Help Center. Meta also notes that off-platform and person-to-person transactions generally may not qualify for Facebook purchase protection.
Why the date matters
Meta announced its corporate rebrand from Facebook, Inc. to Meta in October 2021, but the incident was reported at the time as a Facebook verification failure. A page published in 2026 should identify it as a 2021 event, not present it as a new breach or policy announcement. Later rewrites, including a May 20, 2026 TechBloat article, should not be treated as independent confirmation of new facts: TechBloat.
The central lesson is narrow but important: a verified badge can increase trust without validating the claims made in a post. In this case, copied Musk content and Facebook’s badge created a credibility funnel that ended in a classic “send crypto, receive more crypto” fraud.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteQuick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
