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FINANCIAL PLANNER AND host of the RTÉ TV programme How To Be Good With Money Eoin McGee has warned people against being fooled by a spate of fake offers of investment advice that use his name and image.
“It’s a scam. Please don’t get caught out,” McGee told his followers in a video posted on Instagram, noting that many of the fake offers have been made via Whatsapp.
“There are a whole pile of different fake accounts and scams using my name, trying to trick you, going around over the last three or four days.
“We are aware of them. I’m doing everything I can to try and shut them down.”
The offers of financial advice have also appeared on Facebook.
One such post impersonates McGee and offers an assessment of the investment potential of chipmaker Nvidia and its competitors, accompanied by a link to “sing up” for more advice.
“We don’t have these magic fixes or tricks about how to get rich,” he said.
McGee said that neither he nor anyone who works at his financial advice company Prosperous would ever approach people on Whatsapp.
“It’s not my style,” he said.
McGee thanked the people who had been in touch with him and the company about the situation and reported the ads.
“That’s what I want you to do. If you see one of these things, report it and block it.”
McGee is the latest target for online scammers, who have used the names and faces of other well-known Irish TV personalities in fake news stories, which have been documented by The Journal FactCheck.
Other targets have included comedian Dara Ó Briain and Newstalk radio host Pat Kenny.
Ever wondered how disinformation spreads so rapidly – or who is behind it? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to finding good information online.
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You mean to say the magic beans I bought from Eoin McGee might not be legitimately magic?!
Who? Never heard of him.
@John Mellonhead: he is a very rich and savvy businessman
@John Mellonhead: Surely you’ve heard of his brother, Ulick?
Hope he didnt lose his salt and pepper
You would think nvidia would have the power with zucker to take down these accounts? Scammers are using their brand? Or maybe they dont care?
Who does he think he is, Daniel O’Donnell?
Hi, am I speaking to Kenneth?
@George Bowling: ” what’s the frequency Kenneth”—- REM, ‘ automatic for the people ‘, track 3 ?
@Mary Linton: is everyone not getting those scam calls asking if they’re speaking to Kenneth? I keep getting them and I just find them funny; I mean I’ve known Kenneths but surely they’d have higher hit rate if they asked for John or something like that.
@Mary Linton: what a tune
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