ITV’S Willoughby impersonated in £370k online scam
FRAUDSTERS used a fake Holly Willoughby advert to con someone out of £370,000, as the television host topped the list of celebrities used by online scammers.
The This Morning presenter was falsely quoted in an advert on Facebook which claimed she and co-host Phillip Schofield had made a huge return on a £200 cryptocurrency investment.
One victim lost £370,000 over several payments to the scammer, who convinced them to keep sending money over a number of months.
Willoughby was the celebritiy most used in scams in 2021. A report by Natwest also found that a victim lost £317,000 to a fake advert showing consumer champion Martin Lewis.
The highest value fraud was 40 per cent higher this year.
A Natwest spokesman said fraudsters used Willoughby because of her reputation for trustworthiness, and
This Morning’s audience likely included pensioners with money to invest.
Stuart Skinner, of Natwest, said: “In knowing that criminals are exploiting the images of celebrities we can all take steps to protect ourselves.”
There is no suggestion the celebrities are connected to the scams.