Celebrity investment advert: is it a scam?
Scam adverts on social media and websites show a famous person, often a TV presenter or business leader, recommending an investment that promises big returns. The person has usually never heard of it. AI can now make convincing fake videos of real people.
Check your message free ↓What it can look like
Famous presenter reveals the secret that made him rich: invest 250 today and earn up to 30,000 a month. Spaces limited, sign up before the banks shut it down!
A made-up example. Real messages vary.
The warning signs
- A famous face or voice recommends an investment.
- It promises big or guaranteed returns.
- It says spaces are limited, or that banks or governments want it stopped.
- After a small first payment, someone contacts you on WhatsApp or by phone and asks for more.
- They ask to take control of your computer, or to be paid in cryptocurrency.
What to do
- Never invest because of an advert, however real it looks.
- Check the famous person's own official website or channels, found yourself.
- Check the company with your country's financial regulator before you pay anything.
- If you have paid, call your bank straight away and report it.
Already paid or shared your details?
- Call your bank straight away, using the number on your card.
- Change any passwords you shared, starting with your email.
- Report it (see below).
- Tell someone you trust. Scams catch careful people too.
United Kingdom
Report fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. Forward scam texts to 7726 and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Call 159 to reach most UK banks.
United States
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Forward scam texts to 7726.
Canada
Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on 1-888-495-8501. Forward scam texts to 7726.
Australia
Report it at scamwatch.gov.au. If you lost money, report it to the police at cyber.gov.au and call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 for free help.
Anywhere else
Report it to your local police or your national fraud reporting service.
Our checks on this scam
Another AI Lie editorial illustrationFAKEIs that celebrity investment video advert real? The documented scam pattern
No. On 7 September 2026 police in Northern Ireland said a victim lost £250,000 after seeing what appeared to be an AI-generated video of a well-known financial personality promoting an investment. Police say an advert or apparent celebrity endorsement should never be treated as proof that an investment is genuine. This reviews a documented pattern, not a particular advert.
Updated 23 September 2026 · Read the evidence ↗Other common scams
- Parcel delivery texts
- Your bank's "fraud team" calls
- Tax refunds, fines and road tolls
- "Hi Mum, I've got a new number"
- A loved one's voice on the phone
- Fake shops and too-good deals
- Computer help calls and pop-ups
- Requests for a security code
- Online friends who talk about money
- Calls from the "police" asking for money
- Power or water cut-off messages
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. Reporting details were checked on 26 September 2026. Another AI Lie is not linked to the organisations named. Example messages are made up.