World's Oldest Tortoise Targeted by Viral Crypto 'Death' Scam

newsApr 2, 2026

A fake X account posing as Jonathan the tortoise's vet falsely announced his death and solicited cryptocurrency donations. The hoax spread worldwide and briefly prompted false reports from major outlets including the BBC, Daily Mail, and USA Today. Jonathan is 194 years old and lives on St Helena, which amplified public interest. The episode shows how quickly fabricated social posts can drive misinformation and fundraising scams, undermining trust in news and charities.

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Fake X account falsely announced Jonathan's death and solicited cryptocurrency donations.

Major outlets briefly carried the false report before it was debunked.

Jonathan is 194 years old, the world's oldest known tortoise.

1 source

theguardian.comWorld’s oldest tortoise caught in viral crypto death scam

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World's Oldest Tortoise Targeted by Viral Crypto 'Death' Scam

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