Many celebrities are falling victim to scammers who use their identities to lure unsuspecting individuals. These scams are increasingly becoming common among South African celebrities.
They exploit well-known personalities as brand ambassadors, making their services appear legitimate.
HOW DO THESE SCAM WEBSITES APPEAR LIKE?
According to Kaya 959, these scams often take the form of fake investment opportunities, cryptocurrency scams, or phishing attempts.
In some cases, scammers may even create fake videos of celebrities to make their scams appear more legitimate. From fake social media accounts to their faces being featured on fraudulent trading or bitcoin sites.
Media personality Maps Maponyane is the latest victim, finding himself as the face of a fake trading site known as NovusX.
According to Youthvillage, NovusX is using his identity to entice people to invest. Maps is not associated with it and doesn’t even know the organisation.
The legitimacy of NovusX is often questioned due to the high number of automated trading platforms on the market. Over a hundred spam websites exist to bolster the credibility of this broker.
Briefly reported that the dodgy website claimed that Maps has scored over $5,000, which is R91,000. He said that this started over a year ago, and he still has no idea who these people are.
MAPS ADDRESSES FANS ABOUT THE SCAM
He took to X (formerly Twitter) to caution his fans not to fall for this vicious scam. “SCAM ALERT!!!!!
This scam has been going on for almost a year now. Please please be careful. Have no idea who these people are or how they keep getting away with taking advantage of vulnerable people.” wrote Maps
CELEBRITIES WHO’VE FALLEN VICTIM TO SCAMMERS
Maponyane is not the first celebrity to fall victim to scammers. Youthvillage mentioned that multi-award-winning actress Sindi Dlathu was used as the brand and image of Nulante Anti-Aging in their advertisements.
She urged her fans and followers to exercise caution when they come across the products.
Another celebrity who deals with this kind of thing on a constant basis is Anele Mdoda. Many weight loss businesses like to use her identity, claiming that she uses their products.
A year ago, her face was used in an ad claiming that she lost weight after using a certain product for about two months. Mdoda warned consumers that it is a scam.
NETIZENS REACT AT SCAM WEBSITE
Briefly mentioned Maps’ followers laughed at the dodgy website, with some saying he left his job to continue a trading career.
These were some of the reactions:
@Lord_VR questioned Maps:
“Hay Maps Nani niya trader kanti( Hawu, Maps. You guys also trade?)” @celeworld8 commented:
“Disgusting people really”
Have you or anyone close to you been scammed by a fake account?
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