Fraudsters use fake endorsements from Harry and Meghan to promote scam bitcoin investment adverts

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been used in fake endorsements on social media to promote Bitcoin-related investment schemes.

Fabricated interviews, as well as photos of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have been used in online articles falsely claiming the couple have backed schemes related to Bitcoin and cryptocurrency trading.

One of the latest fake headlines reads: ‘People earning millions from home by using Harry and Meghan latest advice’. 

The story also uses the logos of news brands including the Mail, the BBC, the Sun, Good Morning Britain and the Guardian.

Another said: ‘Harry and Meghan shocked everyone in the studio by revealing how they making (sic) an extra £128k every month’. 

Harry and Meghan are among a string of celebrities – including Bill Gates, Sir Richard Branson and Mark Zuckerberg – being misused in get-rich-quick scams, according to the Financial Conduct Authority. 

It comes as the number of consumers reporting possible scams to the UK’s financial services watchdog has risen by more than 400 per cent in five years. 

One of the latest fake headlines reads: ‘People earning millions from home by using Harry and Meghan latest advice’. Another said: ‘Harry and Meghan shocked everyone in the studio by revealing how they making (sic) an extra £128k every month’

It comes as the number of consumers reporting possible scams to the UK’s financial services watchdog has risen by more than 400 per cent in five years

The articles falsely claim that in TV interviews the royal couple backed investment schemes related to Bitcoin.

A supposed investor is quoted as saying: ‘I let the software run and my profits stacked up like pancakes. It feels incredible having money rush in this fast and hard.’

Another says: ‘My ex-girlfriend dumped me because I was too poor. Now I’m a multi-millionaire and I have an even better girlfriend.’

The articles, seen by the FCA, appear to be linked to a website in Eastern Europe, the BBC reported.

The broadcaster contacted the website but had not replied. The online link now goes to a general feature on the Royal Family. 

Representatives of the duke and duchess have reportedly been alerted. MailOnline has approached their spokesman for comment. 

Last year, there were more than 34,000 reports from consumers with suspicions about possibly fraudulent investment offers, the FCA said. In 2016, it had been 8,000.

Harry and Meghan are among a string of celebrities – including Bill Gates, Sir Richard Branson and Mark Zuckerberg – being misused in get-rich-quick scams, according to the Financial Conduct Authority

Between April 2020 and March last year, there were 500 investment frauds found using fake celebrity endorsements, with losses of over £10million, according to the latest data from Action Fraud.

An FCA spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘People should be very wary when they see investment ads offering high returns, even if they appear to be endorsed by celebrities. 

‘You can check if a company is regulated by us on the Financial Services register. If it isn’t, you are very unlikely to have any protection if things go wrong. 

‘Where potential scam activity takes place outside of our remit, we will involve other law enforcement agencies who may be able to take further action.

‘We have continued to call on the Government to include financial content within the Online Safety Bill.’

Citizens Advice director of policy Matthew Upton said the ‘consequences can be truly devastating’.

He told the BBC: ‘These schemes are becoming ever-more sophisticated and can leave people feeling incredibly vulnerable and isolated – to the point where they can’t even tell their family and friends what has happened.’