The Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 has become a showcase of elite esports talent and a battleground for hackers targeting professional players. Two renowned players, Fredrik “REZ” Sterner from Ninjas in Pyjamas and Abdul “degster” Hasanov from Heroic, faced serious issues with their Steam accounts during the event.

The ordeal concludes positively for REZ.

Fredrik “REZ” Sterner’s account crisis ended on a high note. Initially, Steam Support erroneously denied his account ownership, prompting a wave of concern from the gaming community. However, the issue gained traction thanks to REZ’s direct outreach to Counter-Strike representatives. Valve’s support team quickly stepped in, restoring his access. Grateful for the swift action, REZ expressed appreciation for the community’s backing and praised the responsiveness of the Counter-Strike team. This incident underscores communication’s vital role between professional gamers, developers, and the wider esports audience.

Initial Reports of Account Breaches

On Twitter, REZ shared that his Steam account had been compromised, warning friends and peers to ignore suspicious messages from his profile. Matters escalated when Steam Support dismissed his claim of ownership despite the evidence he provided. The timing added insult to injury—REZ and his team had already failed to qualify for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, making the attack all the more disheartening as it occurred after his competitive run had ended.

Meanwhile, Abdul “degster” Hasanov faced a hacking incident during the Shanghai Major. His account was illicitly transferred to the Chinese region, rendering his prized inventory, which included valuable rare skins, inaccessible. Though degster managed to recover his account with Steam Support and Perfect World assistance, some items were permanently lost. Despite these setbacks, he competes with Heroic, showcasing remarkable resilience and strong performance as the team strives to secure a playoff spot.

Community Stands in Solidarity

Fans and fellow esports players rallied behind both athletes, urging Steam Support to act more swiftly. Social media platforms were flooded with calls for immediate intervention. The incidents ignited a broader discussion on the vulnerability of professional players’ accounts, particularly highlighting the mental strain such breaches can impose during high-stakes tournaments.

The Lessons Learned

These cases are a stark reminder of the critical need for robust account security measures, especially for professional players who are prime targets due to their valuable inventories and public profiles. Moving forward, tournament organizers and game developers must prioritize account protection, ensuring players can concentrate on their performance without the distraction of cyber threats.