Cardano's IOG Issues Urgent Warning After YouTube Channel Hijack
Cardano's Input Output Group (IOG) issued an urgent warning to users on September 18, advising them to avoid its YouTube channel after it was apparently hijacked. The compromised account featured a livestream that appeared to be Charles Hoskinson discussing a cryptocurrency giveaway.
The broadcast used Project Catalyst branding and included a QR code directing viewers towards payments. IOG emphasized that legitimate giveaways never require users to send cryptocurrency first, and warned against clicking links, sending funds, or sharing personal information with scammers.
This incident follows an old scam pattern documented by Cardano, where attackers use fake videos of Charles Hoskinson or other well-known figures to make the offer appear authentic. The latest case uses AI-manipulated footage, which has not been independently verified.