YouTube has issued a warning to its creators about a sophisticated phishing scam that uses an AI-generated video of its CEO, Neal Mohan, to trick victims into divulging their credentials. The scam, which has been reported by several users on Reddit, involves a private video shared with creators claiming to be from YouTube, informing them of changes to the platform's monetization policy.

In a statement, YouTube emphasized that it will "never attempt to contact you or share information through a private video." The company urged creators to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to its website. This warning comes on the heels of reports of similar scams circulating on Reddit, where users shared their experiences of receiving phishing emails and private videos claiming to be from YouTube.

One Reddit user reported receiving an email from "no-reply@youtube.com" with a link to a private video from "Notification for YouTube Creators," which instructed them to download a malicious file. Another user received a private video from "Channel for Creators," asking them to agree to a new monetization policy on a fake DocuSign site. These scams are particularly insidious, as they exploit YouTube's own features to link to malicious content.

This is not the first time scammers have used AI-generated videos to impersonate YouTube's CEO. In 2023, a Reddit user spotted a deepfake video of Mohan circulating online. The increasing sophistication of these scams highlights the need for creators to remain cautious and verify the authenticity of any communication claiming to be from YouTube.

The warning from YouTube serves as a reminder to the tech industry of the importance of cybersecurity and the need for platforms to stay ahead of scammers. As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, the potential for misuse grows, and it is essential for companies to develop strategies to combat these threats.

In the meantime, YouTube creators are advised to be wary of any private videos or emails claiming to be from the platform, especially those requesting sensitive information or prompting them to download files. By staying vigilant and reporting suspicious activity, creators can help protect themselves and the broader YouTube community from these phishing scams.