Warning over Facebook Messenger scam as fraudsters set up fake Martin Lewis profiles
The MoneySavingExpert founder says he is "sickened" about the latest con where crooks pretend to be him on the social media site
MARTIN LEWIS has urged Facebook Messenger users not to be duped by a new scam which aims to trick victims out of thousands of pounds.
founder said he was "sickened" by the latest scam where crooks pretend to be him and tries to fool victims into signing-up to dodgy investments.
Worryingly, the con involves the crooks - using Mr Lewis' name and picture - sending direct private messages to people to try and get them to give up their cash.
Mr Lewis said: "I'm sickened that yet again people are trying to take my good name and reputation and con vulnerable people.
"I don't use private messages with anybody.
"Please help me spread the word that this is not me, these people should not be trusted, they are liars and possibly thieves and nobody should have anything to do with them or engage with them in anyway.
"While we have reported this to Facebook I don't have much faith in its mechanisms to deal with this, and so we have to rely on spreading the message among each other."
It is the latest in a number of scams in which crooks and fraudsters have tried to exploit Mr Lewis' reputation as someone who is trusted about money matters to try and con people out of cash.
In October, the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) banned three Facebook ads from two separate companies, one which offered financial advice and the others a PPI claims firm - all of which used Mr Lewis' face.
Last month he told The Sun Online that he struggled to sleep at night knowing that some victims had been scammed on the social media site by fraudsters using his image and described Facebook as the "wild west" of advertising.
There were 1,639 Facebook scams reported to Action Fraud in 2017, with victims on average losing £342 each.
But in 24 cases Brits reported being scammed out of more than £10,000.
More on money
Even the city watchdog is concerned, with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warning young Brits not to be taken in by dodgy investments that are advertised on social media.
Many scams focus on something called binary options trading - which allows people to make a "bet" on the price of something - such as a currency or stock - rising or falling.
If your "bet" is right you should see a profit - but many of these dodgy firms are unregulated and refuse to pay back an investor's money.
MSE has reported the latest scam to Facebook, the FCA and Action Fraud.
A spokesman for Facebook told the Sun Online that the account in question has been banned for violating its policies.
"Fraudulent or misleading activity is not allowed on Facebook and we’re constantly working to detect and shut it down using a combination of automated and manual systems," he added.
HOW TO REPORT MESSAGES TO FACEBOOK
YOU can report and block dodgy messages you get on Facebook. But how you do it depends on if you're using the website or the messenger app.
To report on Facebook - Open the conversation you want to report and click the setting icon, then click "report." A message will pop up asking you to fill out a report at the website's Help Centre. After you can then open the message, click settings and hit the "block" option.
To report a message on Facebook Messenger - You can report a conversation by filling out a this . To block messages, open the conversation, click on the person's name at the top and then hit "block".
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 78 24516. Don't forget to join the for the latest bargains and money-saving advice.