'Be vigilant' - Connie Ferguson exposes shocking scam
Unsuspecting victims are getting video calls from "Connie Ferguson", but she isn't the one making them.
Connie Ferguson has urged her fans to be vigilant after exposing a shocking WhatsApp scam involving her likeness.
The actress and producer took to Instagram to reveal that scammers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to video call people pretending to be her.
She shared messages and videos to show just how tech-savvy criminals have become. The 55-year-old explained how the scam worked using five slides.
"I get a WhatsApp message and a missed video call from a 'Connie Ferguson'. The number shows as belonging to a Madonsela on Truecaller," she wrote.
"The IMPOSTER video calls, and I record with my other phone! Pardon the shoddy camera work. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I didn’t want them to see my face in case they drop off too quickly."
When Ferguson answered the call, she saw herself on screen. The imposter hung up the call after a few seconds.
They then messaged her on WhatsApp again: "Hopefully you saw me right?"
It turns out the clip that appeared on her screen was from a live workout session she posted on social media.
"Scammers are doing the most! Be vigilant! I DO NOT offer any investment opportunity business! Thieves are [using] AI now to convince you that they are whoever they say they are," she told her nearly five million followers.
"Do not easily part with money you worked so hard for! If it’s too good to be true, it usually is! Have you never asked yourself why they are the ones that always have to call you and you can’t call them back?
"Don’t be manipulated into losing your common sense because times are hard. Again, IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT USUALLY IS!"
It's not the first time scammers have used Connie Ferguson's name to give their criminal activity credibility.
In 2023, a Joburg woman was swindled out of R800, 000 in a Facebook scam.
The woman was duped by Forex Traders pretending to be the 'Kings of Jo’Burg' star. An advert claimed Fegurson was involved in the investment opportunity.
"I hope that this poor woman can get her money back," she told the Sunday World.
HOW TO LISTEN TO EAST COAST RADIO
1. Listen to East Coast Radio on the FM (frequency modulation) spectrum between 94 and 95 FM on your radio.
2. Listen live to ECR by clicking here or download the ECR App (iOS/Android).
3. Listen to East Coast Radio on the DStv audio bouquet, channel 836.
4. Switch to the audio bouquet on your Openview decoder and browse to channel 606.
5. Listen to us on Amazon Alexa.
Follow us on social media:
· TikTok