On hacked YouTube channels, fraudsters are using the assassination of Trump for a cryptocurrency scam

marry 18.07.2024, 14:30 PM

Bitdefender researchers have warned of stream-jacking attacks on YouTube that use the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump to lure victims.

Researchers have spotted dozens of hijacked YouTube channels that have been broadcasting fake live broadcasts of Elon Musk since July 16, promising to allegedly reveal details of the assassination attempt.

The hijacked channels, some of which have around a million subscribers, have had their original content removed and have new names – “Tesla” or “Donald Trump Jr.”.

The videos feature a fake image of Mask inviting viewers to enter a sweepstakes by scanning a QR code from the video. These codes direct users to fake websites that look like legitimate Tesla domains or those that link Musk to Trump.

In the descriptions of the hacked channels, it is claimed that Musk plans to provide significant financial support to Trump’s presidential campaign. One description reads: “Elon Musk plans to provide about $45 million a month to a new political committee supporting former US leader Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.”

Researchers discovered five domains associated with this campaign – musktrump(.)org, tesla-elon(.)gives, elomusk(.)finance, muskrise(.)io and taketesla(.)org.

Users are advised to be cautious when they come across videos with headlines related to Tesla or attacking Trump, to check for promises of doubling profits from investing in cryptocurrencies, and to avoid scanning YouTube QR codes from videos promoting such sweepstakes.

In addition, users should report any suspicious activity to the platform or relevant authorities.