October 1, 2025 —Wrestling veteran Matt Hardy has once again become the victim of cybercrime. On October 1, 2025, his verified Instagram account was hijacked and used to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme. The hack alarmed fans, who suddenly saw Hardy’s page filled with colorful posts promising “free WLFI tokens,” NFT drops, and unusually high returns.
A Verified Account Turned Into a Scam Platform
Fans were shocked when Hardy’s profile, marked with Instagram’s blue verification badge, began sharing posts claiming that 38 million WLFI tokens were available for free. The scam advertisements also dangled benefits such as 15% annual yields, DAO membership rights, and exclusive NFT artwork.
The posts, littered with rocket ship emojis and flashy graphics, were designed to appear authentic and enticing. By attaching Hardy’s name and reputation to the offer, hackers attempted to lure unsuspecting fans into clicking the fraudulent links.
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Repeat Target: Hardy’s History With Hacks
This is not the first time Hardy has found himself at the mercy of cyber attackers. In 2023, his Twitter account was compromised, with hackers posting disturbing and insensitive tweets about the late wrestler Chris Benoit. That incident left fans outraged and deeply unsettled.
The new Instagram breach has reignited those concerns, raising questions about why Hardy continues to be targeted. Cybersecurity experts suggest that celebrity accounts, particularly those of wrestlers with millions of loyal followers, remain attractive targets because fans are more likely to trust messages appearing under their names.
A Wider Pattern: Other WWE Stars Affected
Hardy is far from the only professional wrestler to face such attacks. In 2024, WWE superstar Rhea Ripley revealed that her Instagram account had been hacked and temporarily deleted. She posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Went to sleep with IG, woke up to no IG… ??? Guess someone tried to hack me.”
Similarly, Seth Rollins’ account was exploited to promote an NFT scam, with even legendary names like The Undertaker invoked to add false credibility. These cases underscore a disturbing trend of hackers targeting high-profile wrestlers for crypto and NFT frauds.
Expert Warnings and Fan Vigilance
Cybersecurity analysts caution fans never to trust offers of “free tokens” or “guaranteed profits,” no matter how convincing the source appears. Hackers are increasingly exploiting verified accounts to bypass suspicion, leaving even cautious users vulnerable.
Experts recommend that fans double-check official promotions on company websites, avoid clicking suspicious links, and report fraudulent activity. Until Hardy personally addresses the situation, fans have been urged to steer clear of any WLFI-related links associated with his Instagram page.
