The rise of social media has made it easier than ever to connect directly with celebrities, influencers, and public figures. However, it has also created opportunities for scammers to exploit fans and followers of those same celebs. There has recently been a worrying rise in fake celebrity scams, where fraudsters impersonate well-known figures to steal or extort money and personal information from unsuspecting victims.
How Do These Scams Work?
Scammers use a variety of tactics to trick people into believing they are interacting with a genuine celebrity. Here are some of the most common methods these scammers use:
- Cloned Social Media Accounts – Scammers create fake accounts that look identical to real celebrity pages. They copy profile pictures, usernames (often with subtle changes), and past posts to appear authentic. These accounts often send direct messages to fans, claiming they’ve won a prize, offering exclusive opportunities, or even asking for financial help.
- Deepfake Technology – The rise of AI-generated deepfakes has made scams even more convincing. Scammers can now create realistic videos or voice messages of celebrities endorsing a product, charity, or investment scheme. These deepfakes are used to deceive followers into transferring money or sharing personal information.
- Fake Giveaways and Donations – Fraudsters frequently pose as celebrities running contests or charity drives, asking victims to pay a ‘small fee’ to claim a prize or make a ‘donation’ to a fake cause. Once the money is sent, the scammer disappears.
- Romance and Personal Appeals – Some scammers take a more direct approach by engaging in long conversations, pretending to be a celebrity who wants to form a personal connection. Eventually, they ask for money under various pretences, such as medical emergencies or business investments. These scams can sometimes span weeks or even months. They will build up a level of trust and then start asking for money.
A Recent High-Profile £27m Scam Using Deepfake Celebrity Ads
A recent investigation by The Guardian exposed a major scam operation based in Georgia that defrauded thousands of people out of a total of £27 million using fake celebrity endorsements.
Scammers used deepfake videos and fictional news reports featuring well-known personalities like financial expert Martin Lewis, radio DJ Zoe Ball, and adventurer Ben Fogle to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency and investment schemes.
The victims, including retirees and small business owners, were tricked into transferring life savings to fraudulent accounts. One elderly victim in the UK lost £50,000 and was left in financial ruin. The investigation highlighted how scammers use social media platforms like Facebook and Google to run misleading ads, despite previous government pledges to crack down on such fraudulent advertising.
Where Are These Scams Happening?
Instagram and Facebook are the most common platforms for these scams due to their popularity and direct messaging features. However, these types of scams are not limited to these platforms. These same scammers also operate on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and even professional networks like LinkedIn, where they impersonate business leaders and influencers.
How to Protect Yourself From Celebrity Scams
To avoid falling victim to celebrity impersonation scams, always follow these safety measures:
- Never send money or personal details – Real celebrities will never ask you for money, financial information, or personal details through social media. Scammers may use emotional appeals, urgency, or even threats to manipulate victims into making a transfer, so always take a step back and verify before acting.
- Be sceptical of direct messages – If you receive an unexpected message from a celebrity account, be cautious. Do not engage and do not click on any links they send or reply with any personal information.
- Report and block fake accounts – If you spot a suspicious account impersonating a celebrity, report it directly to the social media platform and block them. Social media sites rely on user reports to identify and remove fraudulent accounts, so taking action can help prevent others from falling victim.
- Enable security features on your accounts – Use two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect your social media accounts from being hacked. This can help prevent scammers from taking over your profile and using it to impersonate others.
- Be cautious with investment offers – Many celebrity scams revolve around fraudulent investment schemes, particularly cryptocurrency scams. If an offer seems too good to be true or a celebrity is supposedly promoting a financial opportunity via social media, it is likely a scam. Always consult official sources and financial advisors before making any investment decisions.
Final Thoughts
Remember that unless you are also a celebrity or work in the entertainment industry, it is extremely unlikely that a celebrity is contacting you via social media. Be suspicious of anyone that you do now know who is contacting you on social media, especially if they are claiming to be someone famous.
Just as if an offer is too good to be true, it probably is, if Brad Pitt is taking interest in your day-to-day life, it’s probably not Brad Pitt.
By staying vigilant and reporting fake profiles when they try and contact you, you can help protect yourself and others from falling victim to these fraudsters.