Martin Lewis says online scammers are using his identity—his name, face, and even deepfake videos—to promote fake investment schemes and trick people into losing money. In a recent account of individual cases, he describes receiving an email from an elderly woman with a disability who says she was scammed after investing in a scheme that appeared to be endorsed by him, resulting in the loss of her life savings. Lewis says the situation leaves him experiencing “frustration, anger and sadness,” and he describes it as an ongoing stream of scams. He also argues the problem could be addressed more effectively, saying it would be “very simple” for government to take action. Lewis notes that he does not advertise investment products and that his brand is built around consumer advice, but victims still encounter fraudulent offers that impersonate him. MoneySavingExpert, the organisation he founded in 2003 and later sold, has a dedicated staff member handling scam-related cases, reflecting the scale of the issue. Separate reporting also highlights Lewis’s comments on feeling emotionally overwhelmed and “completely let down” by politicians and technology companies.
Martin Lewis describes emotional impact of scams using his name and image
Martin Lewis says online scammers are using his identity—his name, face, and even deepfake videos—to promote fake investment schemes and trick people into losing money. In a recent account of individu...
- Martin Lewis says scammers use his name and image, including deepfake content, to promote fake investments.
- He recounts a case in which an elderly woman with a disability lost her life savings after being scammed.
- Lewis describes a strong emotional reaction, including frustration, anger and sadness, at repeated scam reports.
- He calls for more effective action to tackle online fraud, including government intervention.
- MoneySavingExpert has dedicated resources handling scam cases linked to impersonation.
Martin Lewis has spoken out about the emotional toll of seeing his name and image used in fake investment scams, admitting he feels "completely let down" by politicians and tech firms over the lack of action to tackle online fraud
3 hours agoTrusted by millions, the finance expert has seen his name and face used to mis-sell a string of fake investments. And yet, he says, it would be ‘very simple’ for the government to stop themThis month, an email from a consumer landed in Martin Lewis’s inbox. It was from an elderly woman with a disability who had been scammed when she invested in a scheme purportedly endorsed by Lewis – and lost her life savings. “THEY ARE BASTARDS!” Lewis wrote at the top of his social media post about it. Even though the personal finance expert is a veteran campaigner against fraud, he says he had “tears running down my face”. He still sounds upset. “I felt a mixture of frustration, anger and sadness.” Not only for the plight of the woman, but for the “constant, ongoing deluge of shit from the scammers”.Lewis never advertises anything. To hammer home the point, his social media profile picture has the words “I don’t do ads” tattooed on his forehead. But still, people fall victim to deepfake videos and frauds that appear to show him offering investments. The scale of harm is great enough that MoneySavingExpert (MSE), the company Lewis founded in 2003 and sold in 2012 for up to £87m – he is now its executive chair – has someone full-time handling these cases. Continue reading...
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