Cybercriminals accessed the official YouTube channel of India’s Supreme Court to endorse a deceptive cryptocurrency scheme involving Ripple’s XRP token.
The takeover occurred on September 20, with the channel swiftly rebranded to livestream a counterfeit video featuring Ripple (XRP) CEO Brad Garlinghouse, urging viewers to invest in the fraudulent scheme, as reported by the India Times.
The hackers altered the channel’s name and erased all prior videos to lend legitimacy to the scam. The livestream also included deceptive links requesting viewers to link their cryptocurrency wallets, according to X screenshots.
After connecting, hackers gained the ability to control the wallets and withdraw funds without needing any further consent from the users. One of the video icons featured the message, “Ripple will reach $2 this month.”
YouTube acted swiftly by removing the channel for violating its community standards. This incident marks yet another instance of hackers exploiting well-known platforms like YouTube to advance cryptocurrency scams.
In India, where the Supreme Court’s YouTube account had been used for live streaming significant case hearings, the hack raised major concerns due to the court’s high standing.
Cryptocurrency Scams
Scams involving cryptocurrency, particularly those that lure users with fabricated investment opportunities, frequently exploit individuals’ unfamiliarity with digital currencies like XRP, designed by Ripple Labs for seamless cross-border payments. Cybercriminals target prominent platforms to create a facade of legitimacy for their schemes.
In July 2023, Attorney Jeremy Hogan’s Twitter account was compromised and utilized to promote fraudulent XRP giveaways tied to the Ripple vs. SEC case. Other attorneys, Jesse Hynes and James Filan, alerted the public about the hacked account and cautioned against potential risks.
Although the Supreme Court’s channel is currently offline, this incident underscores escalating worries regarding online security, especially as more public entities leverage digital platforms to engage with citizens.
