OpenAI chatbot accidentally transfers $ 250,000 worth of cryptocurrency to social network user X

The Lobstar Wilde AI bot, created by OpenAI employee Nick Pash, accidentally transferred all its assets to social media user X. The incident occurred on February 20, when the bot received a crypto wallet with a balance of $ 50,000 in SOL and a task to turn it into $ 1 million.

Soon after, a user with the nickname treasure David asked the bot to help pay for his uncle’s treatment. Lobstar Wilde was supposed to send 4 SOL, but due to an API interpretation error, it transferred more than 52 million LOBSTAR tokens, which is about $ 250,000. The recipient sold them for $ 40,000 due to low liquidity, but later the price rose sharply, and now this package is estimated at $ 440,000.

Despite the loss of assets, the bot continued to work: it gave users tasks such as writing poetry or shooting videos, and then rewarded them with $ 500 worth of tokens. The situation caused a wave of jokes in the community, but also raised questions about the risks of using AI agents in financial transactions.

Analysts pointed out that the case demonstrates the potential for fraudulent schemes involving autonomous bots. One commentator called it «an example of how agents can become a tool in the greatest era of fraud.»

The name Lobstar Wilde is a reference to Oscar Wilde and his short story «The Millionaire Model.» The bot’s website features the slogan «I have nothing to declare but my own existence» — a paraphrase of the writer’s famous quote. The incident is another example of how experiments with autonomous AI assistants can lead to unpredictable financial consequences.