Tuesday 28 June 2022 04:09 PM Bank warns of surge in crypto scams falsely claiming to be backed by likes of ... trends now
A 'worrying' surge in cryptocurrency scams falsely claiming to be endorsed by celebrities such as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has been reported by a major high street bank.
On average, people lost £11,872 to this type of scam in the first quarter of this year, Santander UK said.
Based on the current growth in these frauds, Santander is expecting to see an 87 per cent increase in cases in 2022, compared to last year.
Chris Ainsley, head of fraud risk management, Santander UK, said: 'We're seeing a worrying rise in 'celebrity-endorsed' cryptocurrency scams, where familiar faces are being misused on social media in order to con people out of often life-changing sums of money.
'Rather than revelling in the promised high returns, people are losing significant sums after being duped by these highly sophisticated criminals.
'Always do your homework and thoroughly research any investment opportunity before moving any money - irrespective of who is endorsing it.'
One of the fake headlines reads: ‘People earning millions from home by using Harry and Meghan latest advice’
A site called Exercise Tips advertised an investment scheme featuring a picture of Holly Willoughby in a bid to make the scam appear more genuine
One of the fake headlines read: ‘People earning millions from home by using Harry and Meghan latest advice’
In January, a cryptocurrency scam was reported which falsely claimed to be endorsed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Fabricated interviews, as well as photos of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were used in online articles falsely claiming the couple have backed schemes related to Bitcoin and cryptocurrency trading.
One of the fake headlines read: ‘People earning millions from home by using Harry and Meghan latest advice.’
The couple are among a string of celebrities – including Bill Gates, Sir Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerberg and singer Ed Sheeran – being misused in get-rich-quick scams, according to the Financial Conduct Authority.
Other well known names include This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield and Moneysavingexpert’s Martin Lewis, who have been attributed with false quotes advertising the trading schemes.
In Australia, home-grown stars such as Chris Hemsworth have been subjected to fraudulent claims that they're endorsing cryptocurrency investment schemes
Well-known names include This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby (right) and Phillip Schofield (left) and Moneysavingexpert’s Martin Lewis, have been attributed with false quotes advertising trading schemes
A Facebook user under the name Mister Flapjack used a picture of Holly Willoughby with a counterfeit quote that read: 'My mother was truly worried, even though I kept
