Enron’s Parody Resurgence Sparks Token Curiosity

The infamous Enron Corporation, known for its massive fraud and one of the largest bankruptcies in U.S. history, has allegedly resurfaced, launching a website and engaging on social media on the anniversary of its bankruptcy.

We’re back. Can we talk? pic.twitter.com/9kt4g0Q84Z

— Enron (@Enron) December 2, 2024

It turns out that the “new Enron” is not a revival of the scandalous company from the 90s, but rather an elaborate parody.

“The information on the site is a parody protected by the First Amendment, represents a performance, and is intended solely for entertainment purposes,” states the terms of use on the corporate webpage.

However, in its official communications, the pseudo-Enron does not clarify this.

While many users perceived the corporation’s revival as a joke, some saw it as an attempt to deceive investors and clients once again.

Nope, we cannot talk.
Your shenanigans even caused traffic accidents in LA. when a brown-out made the traffic lights malfunction.
I witnessed a horrific one.
Enron will remain eternally Unforgiven.

— bbuckley (@bbuckley88) December 2, 2024

American programmer and Bitcoin maximalist Jameson Lopp responded that he is not ready to engage in the dialogue proposed by the company.

No.

— Jameson Lopp (@lopp) December 2, 2024

Thousands of users reportedly expressed interest in a token issuance. In a now-deleted post, the new Enron stated that the company does not yet have its own digital asset, but this may change soon.

why’d you delete this tweet? pic.twitter.com/8tVGDi9Sr7

— Ben Gillin (@bengillin) December 2, 2024

The company’s website contains mentions of decentralization, but the pranksters have not revealed any details:

“True innovation requires no permission. Decentralized technologies are evolving, and we will certainly play our role in their future. We eagerly await the moment when we can show you everything, but until then, please remain vigilant and do not fall for scams. When we announce something, you will know.”

According to a timer on the homepage, an announcement is scheduled for December 10.

According to Axios, the Enron trademark is owned by College Company from Arkansas. One of its co-founders, Connor Gaydos, is involved in the well-known satirical theory Birds Aren’t Real, which claims that birds are disguised drones used by the U.S. government to spy on its citizens.

Based on official statements from the “new Enron,” the company supposedly intends to continue operating in the energy sector.

Some users suspect this is not just a joke, but another cryptocurrency scam.

oh it’s a crypto scam pic.twitter.com/r8Yi7Zx7PK

— ? Chair (@chairsign) December 2, 2024

One commentator noted the branded clothing store and suggested that the entire relaunch scheme is a promotional stunt.

oh it’s a merch play pic.twitter.com/G9uE9NzCME

— Aaron Slodov (@aphysicist) December 2, 2024

Former Enron employee Diana Peters considered the relaunch story unethical towards those who suffered from the company’s actions.

“If this is a joke, it is crude, extremely crude. And I hope they understand this and apologize to all Enron employees,” she said in an interview with ABC News.

Former Vice President of Corporate Development Sherron Watkins, who helped expose the scandal over twenty years ago, on the contrary, has no issues with the joke. In her view, comedy “helps us focus on an unpleasant historical event that we would prefer to ignore.”

The original Enron was an American energy corporation employing 22,000 people from 40 countries. Fortune magazine named it “America’s most innovative company” for six consecutive years. Enron was a global leader in energy generation, gas transportation, gas supply, communications, and the pulp and paper industry. Additionally, the company traded securities.

In 2001, information about financial statement falsifications came to light. Twenty-four employees, including CEO Jeffrey Skilling, were convicted of fraud involvement. On December 2, 2021, the company declared bankruptcy.

More than $2 billion in employee pension savings were lost, and over 5,000 people lost their jobs.

In August, a hacker hacked McDonald’s Instagram account to promote a fake token.