Baby Reindeer star Richard Gadd has told fans to be on their guard with a scammer impersonating him and begging people for money online.
It comes as legal experts issued a warning to viewers trying to expose the 'real' characters of the hit Netflix smash. The show portrays writer and actor Richard's real-life and his own horrific experiences of getting stalked and sexually assaulted. It is a seven-part adaptation of his autobiographical one-man show of the same name.
Richard plays himself in the series, named Donny, and actress Jessica Gunning took on the role of Martha Scott, a fictionalised version of the person who stalked him. But the tortured lead has been given some news and swiftly warned fans on social media not to be duped by the low-life who is trying for con people out of cash.
On his verified Instagram account, the actor bluntly told the show's fans not be be taken in by the criminal and said: "I have received reports of people impersonating me online. I would never ask for money from fans. This is my only official social media account. Lots of love, Richard xx."
The actor handed a warning to fans after being tipped off (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Tara Finney Productions)
Richard took to Instagram to alert viewers to the criminal (mrrichardgadd/Instagram)Another warning has been issued, the time from from legal experts as some Netflix fans try to uncover the 'real' life Darrien and Martha characters. Since the show hit the streaming platform, many viewers tried to hunt down the people behind stalker Martha as well as Darrien, played by actor Tom Goodman-Hill.
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Darrien is a successful and powerful director who groomed and sexually assaulted Donny in the show. Baby Reindeer is drawn on Richard's real life as well as being a work of fiction. Richard stated that characters were made anonymous for legal reasons and to safeguard vulnerable individuals.
Experts have warned viewers that falsely accusing people of grave offences such as sexual assault can have serious consequences. Alexandra McCready, Partner at Vardags, said: "Speculating that someone is guilty of a crime like stalking or sexual assault, even through the medium of social media, can be legally actionable in defamation if there is no evidence to back up that allegation and the target turns out to be entirely innocent."
"If that online speculation turns into threats and abuse directed towards the person involved, that can become a criminal matter, as with the recent targeting of Sean Foley," she told Mail Online. "Internet users, especially those with large social media followings, would be well advised to steer clear of unevidenced speculation about who the real life individuals are."
A police investigation was launched after a man wrongfully accused by the audience has reported receiving threatening messages on social media, prompting police action. A spokesperson for the British police stated: "We're investigating after a man reported receiving threatening messages on social media. Enquiries are at an early stage and we are in the process of gathering information from the victim."
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