In a bizarre twist that blurs the lines between digital identity, online security, and political messaging, a prominent gay OnlyFans creator found his X (formerly Twitter) feed hijacked and plastered with pro-MAGA content following a sophisticated crypto scam. Patrick Bewley, known to his 132,000 X followers as ‘Daddy Patrick,’ normally shared content related to his adult entertainment career. But earlier this year, his feed took a drastically different, and unwanted, political turn.
Bewley’s experience isn’t an isolated incident. He’s one of several gay OnlyFans creators who have recently fallen victim to a growing wave of crypto scams on X, where cyber attackers are attempting to extort money from them to regain control of their compromised accounts. When creators refuse to cooperate, their digital spaces are often filled with unsolicited crypto promotions or, as in Bewley’s case, unexpected political endorsements.
The Deceptive DM: How ‘Daddy Patrick’ Lost Control
At 60 years old, Patrick Bewley embraced the adult industry, quickly building a substantial following on X. His feed was a vibrant space for his fans, showcasing his unique brand of adult entertainment. However, that all changed in April when Bewley received a seemingly innocuous direct message on X. The message, purportedly from a coworker – a porn director and editor named Jasun Mark – asked Bewley to nominate him for an award.
Bewley recalled that the request “did sound kind of like something he would do,” making the phishing attempt particularly effective. Unbeknownst to Bewley, Mark’s account had already been compromised. The link provided in the message redirected Bewley to a convincing, but fake, X login page. He entered his credentials, but, as he recounted, “nothing was taking, or so I thought.”
Hours later, after Mark notified him that he hadn’t sent any such message, Bewley realized the gravity of the situation. His account was gone. The attackers had swiftly changed the name, telephone number, and email associated with his profile, effectively locking him out. His handle was first altered to @DADDYPATRIOzvu, then a day later to @Fatherokdwcjo63, signaling a complete takeover.
From Poolhouse Erotica to Political Propaganda
What happened next was even more shocking. After Bewley’s partner reported the hack to X, Bewley’s account went into what he described as “crazy MAGA mode.” The attackers didn’t just hold the account hostage; they transformed it into a platform for political propaganda. The account’s banner and avatar were changed to a stark black-and-white image of Steve Bannon, complete with an advertisement for WarRoom.org, Bannon’s official political podcast site.
Posts promoting former President Trump and conservative viewpoints, starkly contrasting Bewley’s usual content about “leather three-ways and clips of pool-house erotica,” began flooding his feed. Imagine scrolling through an adult star’s profile only to be met with posts like “President Trump stuns the World announcing America has more oil than the next two largest Oil economies COMBINED.” The abrupt and jarring shift was undoubtedly disorienting for Bewley’s followers and deeply distressing for the creator himself.
A Widespread Threat to Online Creators
Bewley’s story highlights a disturbing trend targeting online creators, particularly those in the adult entertainment industry with large, engaged followings. These individuals are often seen as lucrative targets due to their public profiles and potential willingness to pay to avoid reputational damage or loss of income. The attackers weaponize their digital presence, exploiting trust and using sophisticated phishing tactics to gain control.
The choice to fill feeds with crypto content or, more controversially, political propaganda like MAGA messages, serves multiple purposes. It can be a pressure tactic, a form of digital vandalism, or even an attempt to spread disinformation, leveraging the creator’s established audience for an unrelated agenda. It underscores the vulnerability of even well-known online personalities to determined cybercriminals.
Protecting Your Digital Presence
This incident serves as a stark reminder for all online users, especially those whose livelihoods depend on their digital presence, to remain vigilant. Here are a few essential tips:
- Be Skeptical of DMs: Even if a message appears to be from a trusted contact, verify its authenticity through another channel (e.g., text message, phone call) before clicking any links.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security, requiring a code from your phone or an authenticator app in addition to your password.
- Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Avoid reusing passwords across multiple platforms.
- Regularly Review Account Settings: Check for any unauthorized changes to your email, phone number, or linked apps.
- Understand Phishing Tactics: Be aware of requests that seem unusual or too good to be true.
As the digital landscape evolves, so do the methods of those seeking to exploit it. The bizarre case of Daddy Patrick’s hacked X account, transformed into a platform for political messages, is a powerful illustration of the importance of robust online security and constant vigilance in an increasingly interconnected world.