Front-running scams rampant on YouTube with 500% surge in 2022: CertiK

Front-running scam bots are significantly gaining traction on YouTube, with the number of dubious videos increasing six-fold in 2022 according to a new report from blockchain security firm CertiK.

In the firm’s Dec. 1

CertiK released a separate report on Nov. 17 outlining that crypto scammers have been using identities bought on the black market to put their names and faces on fraudulent projects. Described as “Professional KYC actors,” CertiK found that their identities could be purchased for as low as $8.00.

On Reddit on Dec. 1, members of the r/Metallica community were also sending out warnings over fake Metallica live streams featuring all the band members that linked to crypto giveaway scams.

Some members even claimed that the YouTube algorithm had been recommending the videos to them in their top recommendations.