Ben Fogle issues plea to fans as he's targeted by fraudsters

30 May 2024 , 11:27
1258     0
He has been the target of various schemes over a number of years
He has been the target of various schemes over a number of years

BEN Fogle has issued an urgent plea to fans as he is once again targeted by fraudsters.

The former Castaway: 2000 star admitted that he has forced to 'waste thousands of pounds' in an attempt to stop them.

Ben Fogle gave an urgent plea to his 600,000 followers on Instagram qhiddritriqtdprw
Ben Fogle gave an urgent plea to his 600,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Getty
The TV star has been hit by a number of scams using his name and image
The TV star has been hit by a number of scams using his name and imageCredit: Pi Productions Ltd
He gave a stern warning to his fans as he hit out at fake schemes
He gave a stern warning to his fans as he hit out at fake schemesCredit: Instagram

Ben, 50, has previously lamented the lack of action taken against scammers online.

But it seems the ITV personality has fallen victim to yet more digital fraudsters who are using his name and image in an attempt to con users.

He took to Instagram with an picture picture of one of the adverts as he wrote a long essay in the caption alongside.

Putin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of eventsPutin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of events

The Channel 5 star wrote: "The Fake Scam Facebook ads using me are back.

"The last time they appeared, I employed lawyers and a team of online forensics experts to find the source and shut them down.

"Despite cease and desist letters, we have been unable to stop the Meta ads.

"The problem is that they are pop up fake ads which use Facebook captured cookies to target people who either follow me or have looked me up online.

"The ads all originate from another online platform called Medium from which they are then used as pop up ads on Facebook which disappear after a short time which means we were unable to provide evidence to Meta."

He also revealed that he has spent 'thousands' of pounds out of his own pocket to try and get them taken offline.

"I wasted many thousands of pounds trying to get them shut down which I have been told is impossible," he explained.

Ben added: "So it looks like the fake ads are here to stay. For the record, the only online profile I have is this instagram account with a verified tick (although it also looks like instagram are now selling verified ticks to anyone).

"Sorry. Love, peace and honesty."

This is not the first time the ... star has been targeted as he has previously been active in fighting the scammers online.

Edinburgh Hogmanay revellers stuck in queues for TWO HOURS in torrential rainEdinburgh Hogmanay revellers stuck in queues for TWO HOURS in torrential rain

previously hit out at Meta - the owners of Facebook - for their 'slow' response to an charity scam which used his name in 2022.

This was after he was given an alert by the Sri Lankan-based dog charity We Care.

He had visited the site in for his Channel 5 show, New Lives In The Wild in 2013.

Someone created a fake Facebook account in his name and it used his visit to ask doe a donation via a personal PayPal account.

In 2024, he later issued a warning when scammers used one of his television appearances to promote a crypto scheme.

The TV presenter previously wrote on Instagram: "The Deepfake of me from This Morning that is circulating on Facebook advertising Crypto is a scam. This is a similar scam as highlighted by @martinlewismse.

"It can be difficult to police the internet's Wild West, particularly when you have no one to help you, but I’d be grateful for people to report any suspicious accounts or ‘adverts’ to the relevant platforms."

Ben was previously warned by one of the charities he visited in 2013
Ben was previously warned by one of the charities he visited in 2013Credit: PA:Press Association
He previously hit out at Meta, owners of Facebook and Instagram for their slow responses
He previously hit out at Meta, owners of Facebook and Instagram for their slow responsesCredit: Getty
Scammers also used deep fakes from his TV appearances to con people
Scammers also used deep fakes from his TV appearances to con peopleCredit: Rex

Joshua Rom

Social Media, Scams and fraud, ITV, Instagram, Facebook, Cyber crime and hacking, Channel 5, Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild (TV Show), BBC, Ben Fogle

Read more similar news:

03.01.2023, 21:55 • Politics
Tory MP reveals she wears stab jacket to meet constituents
04.01.2023, 09:33 • Money
Shoppers uncover mysterious image hidden on ASDA milk cartons & they're baffled
05.01.2023, 17:02 • Showbiz
Who is TikToker Jbizz?
09.01.2023, 13:18 • World News
Our town square has been turned into a mud bath - it's a complete eyesore
12.01.2023, 18:40 • UK News
I eat raw fish from the supermarket - I've definitely got worms but it's delicious
12.01.2023, 20:51 • Showbiz
Dragons Den fans say the same as they fume at ‘one-dimensional’ Steven Bartlett
13.01.2023, 08:21 • Showbiz
The rise of YouTube star FaZe Temperrr
01.02.2023, 02:39 • Showbiz
Get to know Charli D'Amelio
14.01.2023, 22:39 • Politics
Rishi Sunak nearing deal with rebel Tory MPs over plans to jail social media bosses whose networks harm kids
14.01.2023, 23:42 • World News
Urgent TikTok warning as it's revealed kids see fake health advice & PORN in app