Mel B has reportedly been left feeling “violated” after fraudsters used her name to try and scam money out of people.
The Spice Girl’s family and friends – including fellow celebs – were sent messages on WhatsApp from what looked like her account, reported the Mirror.
The con artists claimed to be after donations on a cryptocurrency platform for a charity project to help African children, and used emojis and kisses to make the messages look more realistic.
READ MORE: Mel B makes subtle dig at Tory MP Conor Burns as he’s sacked over ‘serious misconduct’
When Mel, 47, found out about it she went to the police, it was reported.
The Sunday People quoted a source as saying: “She feels really violated and angry that someone would do this and claim it’s for charity reasons when she does so much charity work herself.”
Another insider said it was “doubly upsetting” that people would play on the fact that Mel does do a lot of work for causes that are important to her.
Many celebrities have found that their names have been used in online scams in the past.
Fraudsters once used a fake ad featuring This Morning star Holly Willoughby to try and scam people out of money.
And a couple of years ago Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood had to warn his fans that con artists could be trying to trick them using his name.
“Morning I’m still receiving messages saying there are scammers pretending to be me contacting you, look for the blue tick highlighted, also look at the follower number!” he wrote on Instagram at the time.
“I don’t have a private account.. please be careful, watch the GBBO, and Great British Bake off scammers too, look for blue tick always!!!!!! X.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
