Top Gear and The Grand Tour might take us on journeys around the world but the legendary presenting trio behind both shows have been taken for a ride of the crypto scam variety.
All three of Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond have found themselves the victim of cryptocurrency scams. Their faces have been used against their will to push ‘get rich quick’ schemes that they have, obviously, not endorsed.
It is a growing and concerning trend in the world of cryptocurrency as the likes of Bitcoin enjoy a resurgence.
Money Saving Expert founder, Martin Lewis, has also found himself as the face of a scam. And it’s a scam that is, sadly, not free of victims, with one woman losing £40,000 to the Bitcoin scam.
In all these instances, organised criminals use the faces of popular, well-liked individuals to try and trick people looking to make money quick, preying on your trust in these celebrity figures.
Janet Quinn, who works as a Scams Lead Officer at Trading Standards, said ‘doing your own research’ is the most important thing if you’re looking to get into the crypto business.
Clarkson and his Grand Tour colleagues have fallen foul of being used as the face of crypto scams (Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images)
Ultimately, she says: “Always as well be prepared to lose what you’re investing so keep it small.”
On the former Top Gear men, the revelation was rather humorously discussed on X (formerly Twitter) by the men themselves.
Posting on the social media platform, as reported by The Telegraph, May said: “I realise that my face has appeared in a number of scam posts about crypto currencies and retirement planning.
“It’s all balls, obviously. But, since I’m here, my genuine financial advice is to say ‘bo***cks to it’, and go to the pub.”
Other posts from May said that Clarkson and Hammond had also been victims of scams.
“It seems Jeremy Clarkson is also appearing in these scam ads,” May added.
The lads (Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
“He, too, is not really dispensing fiscal advice. And shouldn’t.
“Now Richard Hammond is also supposedly at it.
“There’s grifting, and then there’s stretching credibility to the point where it snaps, flies back, and hits you in the plums.”
Jezza got involved in the X thread, with the Clarkson’s Farm star writing: “To be clear. James May and I are not endorsing any kind of cryptocurrency.
“I don’t even know what cryptocurrency is. But it sounds ghastly.”
Speaking to The Telegraph, May said it was ‘fraud’ and was disappointed he had not heard back from X – where the fake ads were seen – in a week after reporting it.
Bitcoin scams can take thousands from you (Getty Stock Images)
Martin Lewis has had to tackle the issue head on, using his Money Saving Expert website to stress he’ll never do these kind of promotions.
The MSE team says: “MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis’s face has been plastered over the internet for many years now by unscrupulous fraudsters looking to scam people out of money.
“These ads – be they for cryptocurrency, investments, banks – are scams and not genuine. They’re dangerous and you should be on your guard. Martin NEVER endorses products – and nor does MSE – so don’t be fooled.”
Featured Image Credit: Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images/Getty Stock Images
Topics: Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, Money, Crime, UK News, Technology, Jeremy Clarkson, James May, Richard Hammond
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