YouTube accused of failing to tackle fake Elon Musk livestream scams

Source: BBC

YouTube accused of failing to tackle fake Elon Musk livestream scams

10 June 2022

YouTube is being criticised for failing to tackle a network of cyber-criminals streaming fake Elon Musk videos to scam viewers.

The criminals are hijacking YouTube accounts and using the videos to promote bogus cryptocurrency giveaways.

BBC News found dozens of these streams being watched by tens of thousands of people over four days this month.

On Tuesday, Elon Musk said YouTube was not tackling "scam ads". YouTube says it removes channels that are reported.

For many months, the streams have been fooling thousands of people into sending cryptocurrency to criminals, thinking they will receive a prize from Mr Musk.

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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-61749120


Dozens of fake Musk livestreams appear on YouTube daily