The BBC Sounds podcast host and ITV regular has spoken out on Twitter, now X, over a rise in scams - using his face - with the Money Saving Expert founder becoming the most scammed face in the UK.

Martin Lewis issues £73,000 scam warning and warns 'no one is safe'

by · Birmingham Live

Martin Lewis has issued a £73,000 warning - and warned: "No one is safe". The BBC Sounds podcast host and ITV regular has spoken out on Twitter, now X, over a rise in scams - using his face - with the Money Saving Expert founder becoming the most scammed face in the UK.

Mr Lewis warned: "The initial discussion with Des the victim of a £73,000 scam is a must-listen. The devious, clever ways they drew him in, is a salient warning to all of us - no one is safe." An earlier tweet from Mr Lewis explained: "THE SCAMS EPIDEMIC PODCAST SPECIAL.

"I meet the victim of a £73k deep fake of me | Psychologically devious ways the criminals suck u in | Questioning Ofcom, Police & bank head over UKs piss-poor regulation & why so few are arrested!" The podcast synopsis explained: "The Scams Epidemic: A Martin Lewis Podcast Special.

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"Martin asks the experts about scams and speaks to a victim of a deepfake investment scam which manipulated Martin’s face. This special episode goes in depth on deepfake AI and other big scams, with tips on how to spot them, how to protect yourself and what to do if you think you are being scammed."

Martin tells Des how hard it is to meet somebody who has been taken in by the scam using his image, knowing they "trusted what I was doing" to put the money in - ultimately costing Des £76,000. "I have witnessed you a few times on TV stating that you never put your name to these things," Des tells Martin, "so why on that particular day it sold it to me, I do not know... I really don't".

"I've spent my entire career trying to help consumers, and these criminals, thieves, organised crime people have perverted my reputation," Mr Lewis said. "It's quite difficult for me to have to sit in the same room as you", Mr Lewis added.

Martin says Des is "brave and admirable" for speaking out and telling his story as "a warning flag" for others. He adds that scammers are "psychologically adept at manipulating us, use huge online and intellectual resources in order to steal our money... falling for scams does not make you a mug - makes you a victim, but it doesn't make you a mug".