ThinkCritical.eu · Manipulation atlas
Scams and data theftCelebrity bait
A well-known person supposedly endorses a product or investment – usually without knowing it.
Scammers put photos and videos of famous people into fake articles and ads – often with a voice altered by artificial intelligence. The famous face is there to lend trust to a product, an investment or “guaranteed tips”.
Article on a page that looks like a news site: “A popular TV presenter revealed live on air how she secured a comfortable retirement. Even people who have never invested can use the system.”
How to spot it
- A famous person “revealed a secret” or “the interview was pulled from the broadcast”.
- The page imitates a news site, but every link leads to a sign-up or purchase.
- In a video, the lip movements, voice or lighting don’t quite match.
- The ad appears on social media and leads to an unfamiliar address.
How to check and what to do
- Search for the person’s name together with the word “scam” – famous people often warn when their face is being misused.
- Check the person’s official website or profile, and a real news site.
- Report the suspicious ad directly on the social network.
Tip: Even if a celebrity really did recommend it, that wouldn’t make it a good investment.
Full explanation and exercises:
thinkcritical.eu/en/manipulation-atlas/celebrity-bait