Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is going after YouTube and its parent company Google for allegedly failing to control a Bitcoin giveaway scam that cost investors millions of dollars.
In a lawsuit filed in San Mateo County Superior Court, Wozniak and 17 others claim fake ads have run on YouTube for months. The alleged scheme uses photos of Wozniak, Tesla founder Elon Musk, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and other celebrity figures to convince users to take part in a fraudulent Bitcoin giveaway.
In Wozniak's case, the ads are also using Apple's logo.
"There's just so many ways they could have solved it, but I don't think a human ever got our, like I said, dozens or hundreds of reports," Wozniak added.
The complaint alleges millions of dollars have been lost in the scam and that YouTube is profiting from their promos. Wozniak's attorney Joe Cotchett told KCBS Radio they're seeking a jury trial and an injunction to stop the conduct.
"This has to stop," Cotchett said. "It's taking advantage of not only our adults, but our children are being sucked in on this sponsorship of criminal ads."
Cotchett said the alleged scam has been going on for more than two months.
YouTube has not responded to KCBS Radio's request for comment.
The lawsuit comes just a week after social media giant Twitter saw several high-profile accounts hacked as part of a Bitcoin scam.




