Scammers are posing as Bake Off star Paul Hollywood in a bid to con besotted female fans out of cash by promising raunchy pics and dates.
Gangs of swindlers are setting up fake profiles of the GBBO hunk and other top chefs like Gordon Ramsay, 55, to try and hoodwink their followers.
One person revealed a US victim sent £4,700 to a fake Gordon profile believing it to be genuine.
Paul, 55, took to Instagram to tell fans about the fakers, warning: “I’ve heard impersonators are at it again.
“I do not have any private accounts or fan accounts ran by me. @paulhollywoodbakes are my recipes.
(Image: ABC via Getty Images)
“See the blue tick after my name. Do not engage with these imposters. Take care.
“@paulhollywoodbakes is run by my team and are legit. All others are scammers be careful…thanks.’”
Some of his 506,000 fans told how they had been targeted for cash.
One said: |Does this mean I’m not getting the feet pics I was promised???’’
Another added: “I was asked for cash for sexy content. What a cheek.”
(Image: WireImage)
Becca said: “Got one saying you were in love with me and realised no tick at the end ! thought I had a chance!’”
Heather said: “And here I was looking forward to our baking date! I reported the one that messaged me.’”
Another gave insight into how the con artists work with a post that read: “As soon as I liked your page I was flooded with messages from impersonators. “Reported them but I guess so many people wanna be you so I would take it as a compliment.’”
(Image: FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
Sherr said: “Had one too within a week of following you. He used a play on you name. I also got the same for a couple of musician acts.
“There was a woman in my area who sent $5000 in gift cards to who she thought was Gordon Ramsey…it’s crazy stuff.’’
It is not the first time Hollywood has been targeted.
Two years ago fans complained they had got messages from people posing as the baking guru’s manager and other staff in a bid to swindle cash.
The US Federal Trade Commission advises fans how to avoid falling for celebrity scammers.
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It suggests if a star appears to make contact out of the blue asking for money `search online for the celebrity’s name plus `scam’.’
“Do the same with any charity or cause they’re asking you to support.
“Never send money, gift cards or prepaid debit cards to someone you don’t know or haven’t met – even celebrities you meet on social media.
“If you sent money to a scammer, contact the company you used to send the money (your bank, wire transfer service, gift card company, or prepaid debit card company). Tell them the transaction was a fraud.
“Ask the company to reverse the transaction if it’s possible. Report your experience to the social media site.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
