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Dota 2 YouTube Breach Promotes Fraudulent Crypto Token; PGL Also Targeted
Dota 2 YouTube Channel – In a troubling echo of past crypto scams, the official Dota 2 YouTube channel was briefly compromised on Wednesday, broadcasting a fraudulent livestream promoting a Solana-based token called dota2coin.
Fake Meme Coin Livestream Hijacks Dota 2’s YouTube Presence
The compromised channel aired a video titled “Dota 2 Launch Official Meme Coin | Hurry Up,” which linked viewers to a token listed on PumpFun, a platform for meme coin launches. Ironically, the coin’s listing included a link back to the official Dota 2 YouTube channel, further adding to the confusion and appearance of legitimacy.
While the attack raised immediate alarm, there is no evidence that user data was compromised. Decrypt confirmed the existence of the livestream through notification logs, even though it was quickly removed.
On-Chain Data Raises Red Flags
On-chain data from Pump.fun revealed troubling details: over 98% of the token supply is held in a single wallet, and the bonding curve progress remains under 3%. The meme coin’s market cap has already dropped to around $5,500, down roughly 21% since launch at 21:55 UTC.
Hack Expands to PGL Esports Channel
Shortly after the Dota 2 breach, Reddit users on r/DotA2 began posting screenshots and warnings. It was later discovered that PGL, the Romanian esports organizer that runs Valve-sanctioned Dota 2 tournaments, was also affected.
PGL’s YouTube channel was found broadcasting a fake Bitcoin livestream, impersonating Michael Saylor, the executive chairman of MicroStrategy. The stream reportedly attracted over 2,000 viewers before being taken down.
A Familiar Pattern of YouTube Exploits
This hack follows a pattern seen since 2020, where attackers hijack verified YouTube accounts, often through phishing emails disguised as sponsorships, to promote fraudulent crypto schemes.
Past victims have included institutions like India’s Supreme Court and even impersonations of tech icons like Steve Wozniak, with some victims reportedly losing their life savings.
As crypto scams evolve, the latest Dota 2 breach serves as another reminder of the risks posed by social engineering tactics targeting high-profile channels.
