Input Output Group (IOG), the development company behind the Cardano blockchain, has urged users to stay away from its official YouTube channel after it began livestreaming a suspected AI-manipulated video of Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson promoting a cryptocurrency giveaway.

The compromised channel went live on Friday with a broadcast that purported to be a town hall for Project Catalyst, Cardano's decentralized community innovation fund and grant program. The stream remained live for nearly two hours.

In the suspected manipulated footage, Hoskinson appears to tell viewers that participating will "double your wealth" and directs them to a QR code displayed on screen.

"Please avoid interacting with the IO Group YouTube channel until further notice," the company said in a warning posted on its official X account.

The warning advised users against clicking links, sending funds or sharing personal information in response to any content appearing on the channel. The company did not say how long the advisory would remain in place, leaving its X account as the channel's stated point of reference until further notice.

Cardano is a proof-of-stake blockchain founded by Hoskinson, who previously co-founded Ethereum. Its core technology is developed by Input Output, formerly known as IOHK, while Project Catalyst serves as the network's community-run innovation fund, through which holders of the ADA token review and vote on funding proposals for ecosystem projects. Impersonating official events such as community town halls is a tactic commonly used to make fraudulent broadcasts appear legitimate.

Giveaway scams built around manipulated or deepfaked footage of prominent crypto industry figures are a recurring threat on YouTube, frequently involving hijacked accounts and promises that viewers will receive a multiplied return on any cryptocurrency they send.

Cointelegraph reached out to Input Output Group for comment.

Originally reported by Cointelegraph.