Scammers are abusing the YouTube policy violation system by filing fake copyright infringements against content creators until their channel is close to being suspended. These scammers then hold the channel ransom by telling YouTubers to send them a payment or they will file another copyright infringement to have the channel suspended. YouTube has a policy infringement system where users can report a video that they feel breaks policies such as sexual content or nudity, hateful content, violent or graphic content, or copyright infringement. Scammers know this and are now utilizing this system in order to extort money from content creators on YouTube.
Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-scam-holds-youtube-channels-for-ransom/