By Kisean Joseph
Former UPP leader Harold Lovell has issued an urgent alert to the public regarding fraudulent online advertisements on Facebook misusing his name and image.
The fake post carries the headline, “HE SHOCKED US WITH HIS STATEMENT!”, followed by “Harold Lovell didn’t realize the camera was still on!” and invites social media users to click a link. It uses a photo of Lovell speaking into a microphone wearing a blue UPP shirt. Another image depicts armed police officers around a police vehicle.
The phony post also incorporates Observer branding in a bid to convey authenticity. It is in no way connected to any of Observer’s platforms or operations.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, Lovell highlights the growing threat of sophisticated online scams targeting unsuspecting people – and emphatically states that he is not associated with any of them.
Lovell’s declaration serves as a reminder of the deceptive tactics employed by scammers who exploit the reputations of well-known individuals to lend credibility to their fraudulent operations.
“I am not associated, in any way, with the promotion of any online investment scheme whatsoever,” Lovell said. He further emphasised that any advertisement bearing his name or photograph in connection with such schemes is “entirely fake”.
The scam in question appears to be particularly insidious, with at least one advertisement falsely claiming to have recorded off-camera remarks by Lovell about online trading.
This incident is not isolated, as Lovell points out that other well-known persons’ names and images are also being misused by con artists in similar schemes.
The promise of easy money through online trading or investment schemes often masks the reality of sophisticated fraud operations that can drain savings accounts and leave victims in dire financial straits.
Lovell, a former Finance Minister, strongly advises the public to be sceptical of advertisements featuring celebrities or well-known professionals endorsing financial products or services, especially when encountered on social media or through unsolicited communications.
As digital scams continue to evolve and become more convincing, the need for public awareness and education has never been greater.
Financial and cybersecurity experts recommend verifying the legitimacy of investment opportunities through official channels and being wary of offers that seem too good to be true.
