Security News > 2021 > July > Scam-baiting YouTube channel Tech Support Scams taken offline by tech support scam

The Tech Support Scams YouTube channel has been erased from existence in a blaze of irony as host and creator Jim Browning fell victim to a tech support scam that convinced him to secure his account - by deleting it.

"So to prove that anyone can be scammed," Browning announced via Twitter following the attack, "I was convinced to delete my YouTube channel because I was convinced I was talking [to YouTube] support. I never lost control of the channel, but the sneaky s**t managed to get me to delete the channel. Hope to recover soon."

Browning has made a name for himself with self-described "Scam baiting" videos, in which he sets up honeypot systems and pretends to fall for scams in which supposed support staffers need remote access to fix a problem or remove a virus - in reality scouring the hard drive for sensitive files or planting malware of their own.

"I am hoping that YouTube Support can recover the situation by 29th July," Browning wrote in a Patreon update, "And I can get the channel back, but they've not promised anything as yet. I just hope it is recoverable."

Tech support scams have been going on for about as long as people have needed technical support, but a report published by Microsoft last month suggested the volume may be declining.

YouTube was approached for an explanation of how deleted accounts could be restored and what precautions it has in place to prevent its users - even those with considerable experience in the field of con-artistry - from falling victim to tech support scams, but was unable to provide comment in time for publication.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2021/07/27/youtube_channel_tech_scam/