Hackers have successfully compromised the Supreme Court of India’s official YouTube channel, exploiting it to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme centered around Ripple’s XRP token.
The incident, which occurred on September 20, raised alarms as the hackers swiftly rebranded the channel, livestreaming a fake video featuring XRP CEO Brad Garlinghouse, and urging viewers to invest in the scam.
Upon seizing control of the channel, the hackers changed its name and deleted all previous content, making the fraudulent operation appear legitimate.
🚨 Hackers took over the Indian Supreme Court’s #YouTube! Renamed it to a #Ripple account & ran a deepfake of Ripple’s CEO, promoting a fake token scam for high profits. ⚠️ #Crypto #cryptocurrency
#trading
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According to reports from the Times of India, the livestream included phishing links encouraging viewers to connect their cryptocurrency wallets.
This tactic would allow hackers to gain control over users’ wallets, facilitating unauthorized fund transfers without needing additional permission.
One of the misleading video icons boldly claimed, “Ripple will hit $2 this month,” further enticing potential victims.
Swift action by YouTube
YouTube responded promptly to the breach, removing the compromised channel for violating its community guidelines.
This incident underscores a troubling trend: hackers increasingly target popular platforms like YouTube to advance cryptocurrency scams.
These schemes not only defraud individuals but also undermine trust in reputable digital platforms.
The Supreme Court administration has initiated an inquiry into the hacking of its official YouTube channel, according to sources cited by Bar and Bench. In response to the breach, the Supreme Court registry has disabled the channel’s link.
This incident marks the first time the Supreme Court’s YouTube channel has been hacked since the court began live-streaming all constitution bench hearings in 2018.
The hack of the Supreme Court’s YouTube account is particularly alarming, given the channel’s historical use for livestreaming significant court hearings.
This breach takes place in a landscape where cryptocurrency scams are proliferating, often leveraging the confusion surrounding digital currencies.
The XRP token, created by Ripple Labs, is designed to facilitate cross-border payments, making it an attractive target for fraudsters looking to exploit investors’ unfamiliarity with the technology.
Similar incidents have occurred in the past. For instance, in July 2023, attorney Jeremy Hogan’s Twitter account was hacked and utilized to promote fraudulent XRP giveaways related to the Ripple vs. SEC case.
As the Supreme Court’s YouTube channel remains offline, this breach has heightened concerns over online security, particularly for public institutions that increasingly engage with the public through digital platforms.
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