'YоuTubе Suppоrt Shared an Item' Scam

Infosec researchers are warning users about con artists impersonating the YouTube support. The misleading campaign consists of lure messages being disseminated to unsuspecting recipients. The fake emails are presented as notifications from YouTube, regarding copyrighted content and a related warning. The implication is that the user's YouTube account has received a complaint and could suffer serious consequences if the situation is not resolved. However, it must be emphasized that the YouTube content platform has no connection to these emails

The fraud campaign is intricately crafted and goes through several levels. First, the luring emails will try to attract the attention of users. Their subject line may be similar to 'Item shared with you - Copyright Warning.pdf.' The email itself will claim to be from YouTube and will direct users toward opening the provided file to learn more about the supposed complaint lodged against their YouTube account. 

When the file is opened, it will state that due to the complaint a review of the recipient's YouTube account has been initiated. If the infringement is confirmed, the user may receive a strike on the account. After three such strikes, the corresponding account will be deleted with the option to appeal. However, to submit an appeal at this stage, users are told that they must first review the entire report by following the 'Open Full Report' button found in the PDF file.

Usually, misleading campaigns of this type lead to a specially crafted phishing website that would resemble an official login portal. Victims would be instructed to provide their account credentials to verify their identity and gain access to the supposedly delicate confidential information. In reality, all entered data would become available to the fraudsters and the victim's account could be subsequently compromised and used in various fraudulent activities.