Scammers are still using Martin Lewis’s image in fraudulent Bitcoin adverts, but now they’re emailing them directly using fake mockups of the Mirror’s website.
Back in June, we explained why Martin Lewis felt he had no option but to sue Facebook for libel after he found his image being used on the platform to promote scam Bitcoin ads.
Using well-known celebrities and brands is clearly a tactic that the scammers feel has an impact – last August the Mirror reported that it had found fake versions of its website being promoted on social media.
These adverts all centre around the cryptocurrency Bitcoin, promising that you can get rich quick with a little investment. Scams like this claimed £15 million last year.
Johanna Butt, 83, was one of the victims. She almost lost more than £8,500.
Fake Mirror websites in emails
We were recently made aware of the following email, which ticks all the boxes mentioned above; a fake Mirror website, Martin Lewis’s image and promises of Bitcoin riches:
Thanks for letting us know, George. We'll pass this on immediately.
— Loughborough University (@lborouniversity) August 1, 2019
Bizarrely, Loughborough University’s domain has been used to mask the list of emails it was sent to. As you can see, I let the university know, and it passed it on for investigation.
If you’ve received this email, do not click through. These fake websites passing off the Mirror and Martin Lewis are designed to trick you into parting with your money.
Guide: how to spot an email scam
We made the Mirror aware that the fraudulent website is now being sent in scam emails. A spokesperson for Reach Plc, which owns the publication, told us:
“We are aware of this issue and take it very seriously. Our Legal and Digital teams are currently working to address it, and would like to reiterate that we do not advertise get-rich-quick schemes in our titles, nor do our brands run any advertisements that endorse bitcoin or cryptocurrencies.
We urge any readers who notice or have been affected by bogus links on Facebook to flag it using the site’s report misleading or scam ad function”
When I let Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert know, it told me it continues to warn that these ads have nothing to do with them:
“If you see an ad with Martin that does not link back to MSE, it’s fake. The quotes are fake. The tweets claiming to be from Martin’s account are fake.
All the companies Martin’s allegedly advertised have used Martin’s name falsely and without his permission – even if a product relates to subjects MSE normally covers, such as energy or PPI”
Have you received this Bitcoin scam by email? Have you spotted any other celebrities or brands being passed-off in order to con people?
If so, get in touch in the comments below.