Elmo’s official social media hacked; Telegram link redirects to suspicious channel

• IN PHOTO: Screen grab of Elmo’s official X (formerly known as Twitter) account.

By TechWatch PH Staff

The beloved Sesame Street character Elmo has become the latest victim of a social media hacking incident. The official Elmo account on X (formerly known as Twitter) was reportedly compromised over the weekend, with the account’s Telegram link suddenly redirecting followers to a suspicious group called “ruglol.”

Parents, educators, and long-time fans of the character were alarmed when they noticed the profile link on Elmo’s X page no longer directed to an official or child-friendly channel.

Instead, the account began pointing to what appears to be an unverified Telegram group, raising concerns about potential phishing, scams, or exposure to inappropriate content.

The hacking incident was first reported by concerned users and later confirmed by independent cybersecurity monitors. The hijacked Telegram link has since sparked warnings from online safety advocates, urging parents and guardians to avoid clicking or joining the unauthorized group.

As of this writing, the original Telegram link has not yet been restored, and Sesame Workshop—the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street—has not issued an official statement regarding the breach.

Scam Watch Pilipinas advised its followers to stay cautious and to access Sesame Street content only through verified official channels.

The incident also highlights the increasing trend of social media accounts, even those associated with children’s brands, being targeted by cybercriminals to exploit their massive follower base.

Users are urged to report the suspicious link directly to platform moderators and to avoid engaging with any content from the compromised account until it is confirmed secure.