Fake Martin Lewis investment schemes have been reported more than 1,000 times to Action Fraud.
Fake emails and adverts fraudulently using Martin Lewis’ image have been used for years and led to Lewis suing Facebook for libel in 2018.
But Action Fraud and Which? have warned of an increase in fraudulent messages using Martin Lewis’ likeness to try and lure in victims.
Which? said: “Martin has been at the forefront of advice around the cost of living crisis with his advice, tips and opinions heavily featured across the media.
🚨We've received over 1,000 reports about emails promoting Bitcoin investment schemes claiming to be endorsed by @MartinSLewis
— Action Fraud (@actionfrauduk) April 26, 2022
⚠️ This is a scam ⚠️
✅You can report suspicious emails by forwarding them to: report@phishing.gov.uk#PhishyFridays #CyberProtect pic.twitter.com/t8jIeCzREG
“Scammers are taking advantage of both elements and using his image fraudulently, believing people will see his ‘endorsement’ as a mark of trust.
“We’ve seen the fake paid ads creeping back onto Facebook, leading to websites that mock up fake news sites.”
Which? are asking anyone who sees a fake advert using Martin Lewis’ image to get in touch.
They said: “We’ll soon be covering these fakes in more detail, but before we do, we’d like to see as many examples as possible.
“Have you seen fake adverts using Martin Lewis’s image? Have you been sent phishing emails leading to fake news websites?
“If so, please take a screenshot of them, and email the image attachment to: conversation.comments@which.co.uk - with the subject line set as: ‘Fake Martin Lewis ad example’.
“Please do also warn your friends and family to be on the lookout for these fakes. Thank you for your support.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here