10 Big Celebrity Profile Scams That’ll Make Your Jaw Drop

Ever thought your favourite celebrity was offering you a great deal? Think again! Celebrity profile scams are on the rise, and they’re costing unsuspecting victims millions. Join us as we explore the world of star-studded scams and learn how to keep your hard-earned cash safe.

Phonely’s top 10 celebrity profile scams

Here are the biggest scams that have happened in the last few years and some that are happening right now.

1. Martin Lewis: The unwilling face of fraud

We’re starting right at the top with the most used celebrity profile. You know Martin Lewis, right? The MoneySavingExpert guru who’s always looking out for us? Well, scammers love him too – but not for his money-saving tips. They’ve used his face in a whopping 1,151 scams, making up 32.4% of all celebrity scam mentions.

Martin’s not happy about it, calling social media “a wild west” where criminals run loose. Remember, if you see Martin in an online ad, even in a video (deep fake), it’s 100% a scam. No ifs, ands, or buts!

2. Taylor Swift: Ticket trouble

It was a sad time for Swifties in 2023. Taylor Swift fans lost over £1 million to fake ticket scams. Fraudsters used social media and dodgy resale sites to sell non-existent tickets for her Eras Tour. 90% of complaints came from Facebook and fans lost an average of £332 each.

3. Elon Musk: Crypto con

Think Elon Musk is giving away free Bitcoin? Well, he isn’t! In 2023, scammers pretending to be the Tesla CEO stole over $2 million from crypto hopefuls. The scammer’s MO is to hijack YouTube channels and broadcast Elon speaking at livestream events. The audio is AI-generated and contains links urging people to invest in the opportunity before the event ends. According to Engadget, one video caught the attention of 30,000 viewers.

4. Peter Jones: Fake interview fiasco

Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones found himself in hot water when scammers used a fake interview on social media to promote bogus investments. This deep fake scheme was so convincing, it cost victims £285,000. In 2023, this scam made the top of Natwest’s Celebrity Scam Super League.

5. Adele: “Hello” to ticket troubles

Even Adele’s soulful voice couldn’t stop scammers from selling fake concert tickets in her name. Facebook accounts were hacked by criminals who then claimed to have spare tickets to sell. Fans paid hundreds for tickets that never existed.

6. Sir David Attenborough: Stock market surprise

Our beloved nature documentarian Sir David Attenborough was unwittingly used in a scam claiming he made £125k monthly from shares and stocks in the gold, natural gas and oil markets. This fake endorsement led to a staggering £275k in losses. Not even national treasures are safe!

7. Johnny Depp: Heartbreaking catfish

Scammers posing as Johnny Depp have been sweet-talking women out of thousands of pounds. These smooth-talking fraudsters use fake profiles to build romantic relationships online, and then ask for money for various made-up emergencies. An example of real pirates.

8. Richard Branson: Bogus Bitcoin bonanza

The Virgin Group founder’s image has been used countless times in cryptocurrency scams. Fraudsters create fake articles and ads claiming Branson endorses various crypto investment schemes, luring in unsuspecting victims. And it’s not just Bitcoin that Richard is seemingly peddling. Scams involving freebies and recruitment are rife too. He and his company, Virgin take this seriously and encourage customers to send it on if they think it’s a con.

9. Holly Willoughby’s weight loss woes

This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby found her image being used to promote fake diet pills and weight loss products. These scams not only cost victims money but could also pose health risks.

10. Gordon Ramsay: Recipe for disaster

Even celebrity chefs aren’t immune! Gordon Ramsay’s name and image have been used to promote fake cookware and kitchen gadgets. Victims thought they were getting a slice of Ramsay’s culinary expertise, but ended up with nothing but an empty wallet. Recent fraudulent ads have promised free HexClad cookware, (a brand Gorden does endorse) in exchange for a few details. These details then enrol victims into unwanted and expensive subscriptions. People never receive their cookware.

Why celebrities make perfect bait

Scammers love using celebrity profiles because, let’s face it, we trust them. Martin Lewis explains: “They research which celebrities and advert types get the best click-through rates, then attract more victims”. It’s a tried-and-tested method that keeps reeling people in.

The shocking cost of star-studded scams

Hold onto your hats, folks – these numbers are jaw-dropping:

• According to the Cryptocurrency Fraud Report, $5.6 billion was lost to crypto fraud in 2023.
• The over-60s lost a whopping $1.6 billion to scams.
• Stop Scams UK reported that victims lost £1.2 billion to celebrity profile scams in 2022.

How to spot a celebrity profile scam

1. Double-check everything: If a celebrity seems to be offering you a deal, verify it through official channels.
2. Remember, videos and audio can be faked. Again, verify the information given, elsewhere.
3. Celebrities will not reach out or message you personally. And as with 1 & 2, verify communications through official channels.

How to protect yourself from celebrity profile scams

1. Avoid clicking suspicious links: Unsolicited emails or messages? Don’t click!
2. Stay informed: Keep up with the latest scam alerts from organisations like Action Fraud.
3. Do not pay for anything online (or send money) via a bank transfer.
4. Do not buy gift cards at request for payments.
5. Avoid paying or investing if you feel pressured or rushed into it.
6. Trust your gut: If something feels off, it probably is.
7. Use spam filters and phone scam blockers such as Phonely and CallGuard.

Final thought

Celebrity profile scams are getting sneakier by the day. But with a little know-how and some healthy scepticism, you can keep your money safe. Remember, your favourite stars aren’t likely to be personally messaging you with investment tips or ticket deals.

Stay smart, stay safe, and don’t let scammers turn you into their next hit single. And if you want extra protection against those pesky phone scams, why not give Phonely a try? Our basic digital voice plan offers real-time auto call blocking and our CallGuard feature is like a bodyguard for your phone – no autographs required!