Gaming Giants Hit by Crypto Scam Wave

On October 15, a wave of cyberattacks hit major gaming organizations, with hackers taking over their YouTube channels to push fake cryptocurrency schemes. This wasn't just a one-off incident but a coordinated effort targeting multiple big names in the gaming world. The official Dota 2 channel, run by Valve, was one of the first to be hit. Fans logging in were met with a fake livestream titled \"Dota 2 Launch Official Meme Coin | Hurry Up. \" The stream looked real, using Dota 2 branding and professional layouts to trick viewers into thinking it was legitimate. But it was all a scam designed to lure people into investing in a fake crypto token. The attack didn't stop there. Around the same time, PGL, the organization behind major Dota 2 tournaments, also fell victim. Their channel was hijacked to broadcast a fake video featuring business figure Michael Saylor talking about cryptocurrency. This type of scam has become more common on YouTube, where hackers take over accounts to stream fake interviews or investment discussions to trick viewers. The attack was part of a larger wave targeting other big names in esports, including ESL, BLAST Counter-Strike, Esports World Cup, and Mobile Legends MPL Indonesia. The news quickly spread on Reddit's r/DotA2 community, where users shared screenshots and warned others to stay away from the fake streams and suspicious links. Both the Dota 2 and PGL channels were back to normal within hours. YouTube's security systems, along with community reports, helped detect and remove the fake content quickly. But the incident shows that even big, verified accounts can be vulnerable to cyber threats. Cybersecurity experts believe the hackers used stolen session tokens to bypass traditional login methods. This technique has become more common, especially for high-traffic YouTube channels belonging to public figures, gaming organizations, and tech influencers. While the channels were restored quickly, the incident serves as a reminder for everyone to stay alert. Viewers should double-check links, verify sources before engaging with crypto promotions, and report any suspicious activity they come across.