DOTA 2 Crypto Hack: How Scammers Hijacked DOTA2 YouTube Channel in $2M Meme Coin Heist
Gaming giant's official channel turned into crypto scam launchpad—thousands of viewers caught in sophisticated social engineering attack.
The Perfect Digital Heist
Attackers bypassed multiple security layers, replacing legitimate DOTA 2 content with fake crypto livestreams. Viewers watched as professional-looking presentations pushed fraudulent meme coins—complete with fake celebrity endorsements and "limited-time" investment opportunities.
Anatomy of a YouTube Takeover
The hackers executed a multi-phase operation: first compromising channel credentials, then mimicking Valve's branding, finally launching coordinated promotion across social media platforms. The scam ran for hours before detection—plenty of time to drain wallets.
Crypto's Persistent Security Paradox
While blockchain technology promises decentralization and security, the human element remains the weakest link. Even major gaming franchises with dedicated security teams can't prevent social engineering attacks that target their audience directly.
Another day, another reminder that in crypto, the flashiest promises often hide the emptiest wallets—proving once again that the most valuable coin in circulation is still good old-fashioned skepticism.
Phishing Emails: The YouTube Crypto Hack Starter Pack
The modus operandi in this case is the same as earlier YouTube rug pulls. Scammers take over legitimate accounts, rebrand them to mimic famous crypto personalities or companies, and then run a livestream pitch hyping fake tokens or giveaways.
In most instances, attackers use fake phishing mails disguised as sponsorship deals to access verified accounts.
Phishing Alert!
Hackers use lookalike domains to trick you into clicking fake links. These sites steal logins, banking info & more.
Stay safe:
Double-check URLsDon’t log in via linksBookmark official sites
Check the full guide: https://t.co/4jTwQGWncn
Stay… pic.twitter.com/4sxOtaQmwq
— Tuta (@TutaPrivacy) October 10, 2025
Once the scammers are in, they start a livestream for their shakedown operations, trying to trick people into sending crypto or buying fake tokens. In one incident, the scammers compromised the YouTube account belonging to India’s Supreme Court to promote a fake XRP giveaway.
Google’s Threat Analysis Group has previously outlined the modus operandi of these scams, with attackers pretending to be exchanges like Binance or Gemini in an attempt to add credibility to their scams.
Previously, hackers have impersonated tech personalities such as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, in a Bitcoin giveaway scam, taking away victims’ lifetime savings.
Crypto Crimes Have Evolved From Phishing To Organized Crime At Scale
Aside from the DOTA 2 take-over, another case in the UK highlights the evolution of crypto scams into large scale organized crime.
On October 16, 2025, the Metropolitan Police detained five suspects in the UK in connection with a mass-scale cryptocurrency investment scam, potentially defrauding thousands and likely to result in losses upwards of £1 million ($1.34 approximately.)
The suspects ran several sites, selling fake presale access to newly launched cryptocurrencies. The sites promised high payouts and guaranteed that the tokens WOULD get listed on large exchanges.
In reality, the entire endeavor was a nonstarter. Victims were misled and left holding assets that were worthless.
This scam, as well as others in recent times, highlight the increased complexity of crypto crimes. It’s no longer simply phishing mails or forged livestreams. Scammers are building entire ecosystems with the intention of mimicking actual crypto projects. The Met’s Economic Crime Directorate are now encouraging victims to report the crime.
Key Takeaways
- Hackers hijacked DOTA 2’s YouTube to promote a fake Solana meme coin: dota2coin
- The scam used livestreams and fake token links to trick viewers into buying worthless assets
- UK police arrested five people for running fake crypto presale sites defrauding thousands
