Blockchain investigator ZachXBT identified an X account named “Rashid bin Saeed” as a fake persona designed to build engagement and potentially promote crypto scams.
The account gained traction by posting a viral thread claiming Iran had listed civilian infrastructure targets for potential strikes, attracting attention during heightened geopolitical tensions.
ZachXBT said the tactic follows a familiar pattern where fake accounts use sensational content to grow audiences before promoting low-liquidity tokens in coordinated pump-and-dump schemes.
He previously exposed a similar case in 2025 involving influencer “Crypto Beast,” where engagement farming preceded an $11 million token dump and a 97% collapse in the ALT token.
The warning comes as crypto market sentiment weakens, with the Crypto Fear and Greed Index falling to 8, signalling extreme fear levels comparable to the period following the FTX collapse.
Extended periods of fear, now lasting more than a month, tend to amplify viral narratives and increase the effectiveness of manipulation tactics targeting retail investors.
ZachXBT’s findings highlight the importance of verifying sources and avoiding reactive trading decisions, particularly during volatile periods shaped by macro and geopolitical uncertainty.