Scam targeting EastEnders fans forces studio to release an official statement

An image of the street sign for the iconic Albert Square from the soap opera Eastenders, shown on the BBC. next to it is a generic image of an online scam taking place
-Credit:BBC


Scammers have been targeting EastEnders fans, imitating their favourite soap stars in an attempt to win them over.

The fraudsters have been promising things like set tours, meetings and other interactions in exchange for money sent online through services like PayPal.

A surge in scams has prompted the soap to release a statement through their social channels encouraging fans to be on the lookout, and reminding them that "no cast member or EastEnders employee will ever make contact to request money".

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Many in the comments under the Facebook post have spoken of their experience recieving scam messages. One user stated that one scammer "got quite abusive" when they no longer answered them. Another stated that the "Trouble is when you actually report to FB direct they don’t care and dont do anything. I reported a few and was told the fake accounts were still open!"

This scam has resulted in an unknown number of people believing they were speaking with their favourite soap star, only for it all to be a lie. And the Albert Square soap isn't the only one to be hijacked by scammed.

Coronation Street released a statement on their social channels a few days prior with a similar message, that actors from both Corrie and Emmerdale too were being impersonated across multiple platforms.

They state that the scammers go one step further, using deep-fake footage to help convince their victim they are legitimate. They also reminded people that "No cast member will ever directly request money for messages, meetings or any kind of personal interaction on social media".

Though the issue will have no doubt caused victims to lose their hard-earned money, that didn't stop people making light of the situation. One user joked "So it wasn’t really Phil Mitchell messaging me? I thought me and him were like brothers".

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While it may seem far-fetched to fall for something like this, according to the National Crime Agency, fraud is the most commonly experienced crime in the UK, affecting UK society economically and socially.

For those in the comments who mention receiving messages, the BBC EastEnders statement reminds people that "If you have been contacted, especially on a social media platform via direct or mass message posted to a group, please ensure you report these instances to the relevant platform immediately."

This isn't the first time the soaps have been targeted by scammers, supposed weight-loss pills being a popular method. The show even had a storyline with popular character Jean Slater falling victim to a pension scam.

People are encouraged to think twice when responding to any suspicious messages, and reminded that if they ask for money and claim to work or be affiliated with any popular soaps, they're lying.