Seven West Media caught in major hack as online criminals target network in crypto scam

Online criminals have used an AI-generated version of Elon Musk’s likeness to hijack Seven West Media’s YouTube accounts.

A live stream, featuring an AI-generated version of Elon Musk's likeness took over Seven West Media's YouTube accounts.

Seven West Media’s YouTube accounts have been hijacked, in what appears to be an attempt by online criminals to fleece Australians of their savings using Elon Musk’s likeness to spruik bogus cryptocurrency investments.

A Seven spokesman said the network was investigating the hack, which hit the company’s accounts on the Google-owned platform on Thursday morning.

“Seven is aware that some of its branded YouTube channels are not appearing as they should. Seven is investigating and working with YouTube to resolve the situation as soon as possible,” the spokesman said.

The hack appeared to affect all of Seven’s YouTube accounts, including 7News, and Spotlight. In its place was a live stream using Tesla’s branding and an artificial intelligence-generated version of Mr Musk’s voice and likeness, saying that people can double their money by investing in cryptocurrency.

Users were urged to scan a QR code to deposit cash, with the scheme promising to spend double the amount back.

“Today’s event is a chance for all crypto enthusiasts and users to double their assets. This is a unique opportunity that should not be missed,” the fake Mr Musk says,

“I want each of you to scan the QR code right now and go to the website. Let’s make this evening unforgettable and double your wealth together with Tesla. Don’t forget that our support is available 24/7 If you have any questions or need clarifications. Our specialists are always in touch and ready to help. So, friends. Don’t waste time. Scan the QR code, make deposits and enjoy how your crypto assets double.”

A live stream, featuring an AI-generated version of Elon Musk's likeness took over Seven West Media's YouTube accounts.

At one point, the scam had almost 50,000 viewers, catapulting to the top of YouTube’s Live Now recommendations.

While Seven’s main YouTube page displayed an error message, its other pagers continued to run the live stream, which ran for five hours. It was taken down soon after midday on Thursday, with Seven’s genuine videos restored.

A YouTube spokeswoman said it was securing Seven’s accounts and urged users to report suspicious activity.

“After being alerted by 7NEWS Australia of their accounts being compromised due to unauthorized activity, our team immediately investigated the claim and is taking steps to secure the accounts, including stopping the unauthorized livestreams,” she said.

“We take account security very seriously and if a user believes their account has been compromised, they can notify our team to secure the account and regain control. We have dedicated teams that investigate if a user has reason to believe their account was compromised. We also have clear processes in place to educate users on how to secure one’s YouTube account.”

It comes after a tumultuous week at Seven, which is understood to be making up to 150 roles redundant. It has declined to comment on the cuts, which come after the departure of former chief executive James Warburton in April and commercial director Bruce McWilliam.

Redundancies have been expected at the Kerry Stokes-controlled media company that saw its half year net profit fall 52.6 per cent for the six months to December to $54m.

Mr Musk and other billionaires, including Australia’s Andrew Forrest, have been targets for online criminals attempting to fleece people of their savings.

Dr Forrest is suing Meta, claiming the company did nothing to stop thousands of scams being published on its platforms that fleeced scores of Australians of their life savings, alleging it was “knowingly advertising the content of criminals.

Last week he “won a crucial strategic victory” against Meta, with a US court allowing him to continue his pursuit of the tech titan, prompting the mining billionaire to say he will spend “whatever it takes” to hold the company to account.

“This is a crucial strategic victory in the battle to hold Facebook accountable for the millions of dollars stolen from innocent Australians who have fallen victim to the duplicitous scams promoted on the Facebook platform,” Dr Forrest said.

“There must be systemic change in Facebook’s conduct. They need to be accountable under the law, like the rest of us.”

Earlier this year, Google-owned cybersecurity firm Mandiant said YouTube was removing “thousands and thousands” of accounts each day as it combats misinformation in what is the biggest election year in history.

Social media is one of the primary tools that foreign agents are using in an attempt to influence elections, with polls scheduled in the US, UK, EU, India and other democracies in coming months.

As it removes “harmful” content, YouTube – which Google acquired for $US1.65bn ($2.48bn) in 2006 – is prioritising videos from “authoritative” sources, such as media companies as it attempts to strike the balance between halting misinformation, while not stifling free speech ahead of the elections.