Recently, you might have noticed a potential crypto scam on X (formerly Twitter) featuring Sir David Attenborough promoting virtual currencies. If this raised alarm bells, you were right to be suspicious. This is a crypto scam, and even Sir David himself has denounced it.
What Is the David Attenborough Crypto Scam?
This fraudulent advertisement has been circulating on X and other social media platforms for several years. It features images or videos of Sir David Attenborough, claiming he earns around £125k a month from investments in gold, natural gas, oil, or cryptocurrency. However, Sir David does not invest in these assets. This is a crypto scam.
Celebrity endorsement scams are not new. They often use photos with fabricated quotes or more sophisticated deepfake videos. Any content linking Sir David Attenborough to these investments is fake. The reported earnings in these scams vary, but the deception remains the same.
The Scale of the Scam
This scam is far from minor. NatWest has estimated that between 2022 and 2023, victims lost approximately £275k to this scam alone. What makes it worse is that these scam posts are often sponsored, meaning platforms like X get paid to promote them, spreading the fraud even further.
Typically, this type of scam involves a photo, screengrab, or video of Attenborough appearing on popular British talk shows such as The Graham Norton Show, The Jonathan Ross Show, and Good Morning Britain. These images come with clickbait messages enticing users to follow a link. Fake news articles also accompany these scams, featuring sensationalist headlines like “Sir David Attenborough Shocked Everyone In The Studio By Revealing How He Is Making An Extra £128K Every Month.”
How the Crypto Scam Operates
These posts usually redirect to a fake article, mimicking tabloid newspaper websites or even fake BBC-style pages. These articles detail Sir David’s supposed investment in cryptocurrency and urge readers to invest quickly due to a closing investment window. This sense of urgency, or fear of missing out (FOMO), is a common fraud tactic.
The associated crypto firms often change names, making it difficult for authorities to shut them down. Reported companies include Quantum AI and Bullexo. Most reputable antivirus software can detect and warn you about these fraudulent websites. These scams encourage personal investment, but the terms and conditions warn of a “high risk” of losing all your money. Bullexo, for instance, is incorporated in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a location where crypto trading is unregulated. If you lose your money, there’s little you can do to recover it.
Sir David Attenborough’s Response
Sir David Attenborough has expressed his disgust over his name and image being used in these scams. He stated, “I am appalled that my name and image are being used in connection with these scams. I’ve never said anything about cryptocurrencies, and I would never advise anyone to invest in them. I hope these dishonest advertisements have misled no one. I wish social media platforms made it faster and easier to get them taken down.”
How to Identify Celebrity Scams on Social Media
You may also encounter scams claiming endorsements from other celebrities like Elon Musk, Lauren Cohan, and Jennifer Aniston. Here’s how to protect yourself:
- Stay Sceptical: Always question the legitimacy of celebrity endorsements. Would Sir David Attenborough really promote cryptocurrency? Probably not. Apply this scepticism to all your online interactions.
- Beware of Impersonators: Many celebrities do not use social media, and their accounts may be impersonated. If possible, verify their official profiles.
- Avoid Get-Rich-Quick Schemes: If an investment promises quick and substantial returns, it’s likely a scam. This is especially true for cryptocurrencies, which fraudsters favour due to their untraceable nature.
- Heed Browser Warnings: If your browser warns you about a fraudulent site, leave immediately.
The David Attenborough crypto scam is a stark reminder of the importance of fraud awareness and prevention. Fraudsters will go to great lengths, including using beloved public figures to deceive and defraud. Always stay vigilant, question the legitimacy of too-good-to-be-true offers, and trust your instincts when something feels off. By maintaining a cautious approach, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim.
