DOTA 2 Crypto Scam: The Method Used by Fraudsters to Compromise the DOTA2 YouTube Channel in a Meme Crypto token Theft
Another day brings yet another crypto breach. Cybercriminals seized the official DOTA 2 YouTube account to promote dota2coin, a memecoin built on the Solana distributed database.
The breach was revealed on 15 October 2025, when the perpetrators initiated a livestream claiming to introduce an official DOTA 2 coin.
The livestream titled “Dota 2 Launch Official Meme Crypto token Hurry Up,” displayed a (now expired) URL linking to a Bull run.fun token page that redirected viewers to the hijacked YouTube channel.
It appears that Valve’s official Dota 2 YouTube channel was compromised by crypto fraudsters.
lmao pic.twitter.com/p82ReIPrWW
— Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley) October 15, 2025
On-chain evidence reveals that the hackers launched the coin just hours prior to the breach, indicating a pump-and-dump scheme. Furthermore, it was uncovered that a single wallet held over 98% of the token’s total token supply.
The coin’s market cap plummeted by 22%, dipping below $5,500 within moments of the livestream’s initiation from its initial price. Concurrently, Reddit users in the r/DotA2 community shared screenshots and warnings for anyone involved.
This was a synchronized operation, as about an hour later, the same hackers also breached the PGL YouTube channel. For those unaware, PGL is a Romanian gaming community that organizes events licensed by Valve.
Now the PGL channel has been compromised by BTC scammers
byu/thexbeatboxer inDotA2
The hackers, on that channel, streamed a phony Bitcoin giveaway, posing as Strategy’s Michael Saylor and amassing over 2,000 views at one point.
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Phishing Emails: The YouTube Crypto Vulnerability breach Starter Pack
The approach in this scenario mirrors previous YouTube rug pulls. Scammers infiltrate legitimate accounts, rebranding them to imitate well-known crypto figures or businesses, and then conduct a livestream pitch promoting fake tokens or giveaways.
In many cases, attackers deploy counterfeit phishing emails disguised as sponsorship offers to gain access to verified accounts.
Phishing Alert!
Hackers utilize similar-looking domains to deceive you into clicking fraudulent links. These websites capture logins, banking details & more.
Stay… pic.twitter.com/4sxOtaQmwq
— Tuta (@TutaPrivacy) October 10, 2025
Once the fraudsters gain access, they initiate a livestream for their fraudulent operations, attempting to mislead individuals into sending crypto asset or purchasing fake tokens. In one such case, the scammers took over the YouTube account of India’s Supreme Court to promote a fabricated XRP giveaway.
Google’s Threat Analysis Group has previously detailed the methods behind these scams, where attackers pose as exchanges like Binance or Gemini to enhance the legitimacy of their schemes.
In earlier incidents, hackers pretended to be tech figures like Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, in a Bitcoin giveaway scam, robbing victims of their life savings.
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Crypto Crimes Have Evolved From Phishing To Organized Crime At Scale
In addition to the DOTA 2 breach, another incident in the UK underscores the escalation of crypto scams into large-scale organized crime.
On October 16, 2025, the Metropolitan Police apprehended five suspects in the UK involved in a massive crypto asset investment scheme that could defraud thousands, with potential losses exceeding £1 million (approximately $1.34 million).
The suspects operated multiple websites selling fake presale access to newly launched cryptocurrencies. These sites promised substantial returns and guaranteed that tokens would be listed on major exchanges.
In truth, the entire venture was a non-starter. Victims were deceived and found themselves with assets that were entirely worthless.
This scam, along with others in recent times, highlights the heightened complexity of crypto crimes. It’s no longer just phishing emails or fake livestreams; scammers are constructing entire ecosystems aimed at imitating real crypto projects. The Met’s Economic Crime Directorate is now urging victims to file reports regarding these crimes.
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Key Takeaways
- Cybercriminals seized DOTA 2’s YouTube to promote a fraudulent Solana meme coin: dota2coin
- The scam utilized livestreams and bogus coin links to mislead viewers into purchasing worthless assets
- UK authorities arrested five individuals for operating fake crypto presale websites deceiving thousands
The post DOTA 2 Crypto Hack: How Scammers Hacked DOTA2 YouTube Channel in Meme Crypto token Heist appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
