Key’s image in fake ad
A fake advertisement promoting crypto-currency has ripped off the image of former Prime Minister John Key.
The advert, purportedly for a company called Crypto Revolt, echoes other bitcoin-related fake celebrity endorsements.
The latest advert imitates a
business news page and purports to interview Key on his enthusiasm for Bitcoin.
Instead of the logo, the words ‘‘NZ Times’’ sit at the top of the page and all links lead to Crypto Revolt’s website.
The person who found the advert said the address was suspicious and said it was possible the company itself could have been hacked.
In October the Prime Minister’s office was alerted to a series of Facebook adverts with pictures of Jacinda Ardern.
The page was dressed up to look like a CNN news article and claimed New Zealand was investing ‘‘half’’ its wealth in ‘‘the Bitcoin revolution’’.
It’s not the first time Key has had his image stolen to promote bitcoin.
His picture was used for adverts on Facebook and Twitter in late 2017 that pointed readers to a real-looking NZ Herald website.
There, Key was quoted as saying ‘‘I purchased a mere $1000 and followed the bitcoin loophole system, and now seven years later my $1000 investment is worth $300 million. It’s funny to think how that $1000 has grown to become my biggest asset.’’