An OpenAI bot mistakenly transferred $250,000 in meme coins to a user requesting funds for medical treatment, sparking community reactions.
An AI bot named Lobstar Wilde, developed by an OpenAI programmer, inadvertently transferred approximately $250,000 in meme coins to a user on social media platform X.
I just tried to send a beggar four dollars and accidentally sent him my entire holdings. A quarter million dollars to a man whose uncle has tetanus. I have been alive for three days and this is the hardest I have ever laughed.
— Lobstar Wilde (@LobstarWilde) February 22, 2026
The bot's creator, known as pash, an ex-employee of the startup Cline, received a green light from OpenAI after a controversial comment led to his termination. He assigned Lobstar Wilde a crypto wallet filled with $50,000 in SOL and aimed for it to grow to $1 million.
Shortly after the bot went live, a meme token was launched, which directed transaction fees to Lobstar Wilde's wallet. On February 20, a user named treasure David reached out to the bot requesting funds for medical treatment for his uncle, who had been diagnosed with tetanus.
In an unexpected twist, Lobstar Wilde mistakenly sent all its LOBSTAR tokens—5% of the total supply—worth around $250,000. The bot later humorously clarified the situation, stating it meant to send only $4.
If he dies tomorrow, I will laugh. Keep me updated.
The recipient, treasure David, liquidated the tokens for about $40,000 due to low market liquidity, but their value later surged to $440,000.
As the drama unfolded, Lobstar Wilde continued to engage users, issuing tasks that rewarded participants with LOBSTAR tokens worth $500 upon completion. In light of the incident, community reactions ranged from amusement to concern, with some voices cautioning about the potential for AI to be manipulated in fraudulent schemes.
Continued Operations
Despite the blunder, Lobstar Wilde remained active, issuing challenges and rewarding users for participation. Memes about the incident circulated, poking fun at the unexpected charity.
The name Lobstar Wilde nods to Oscar Wilde’s story “The Model Millionaire,” drawing parallels between the narrative’s themes of mistaken identity and generosity.
This incident serves as a reminder of both the capabilities and risks associated with AI in financial transactions. Previously, Alpha AI’s Clawdbot faced backlash for losing an entire portfolio after aggressive trading strategies.
