Consumer champion Martin Lewis has strongly criticised “disgraceful” online adverts created by fraudsters, after hearing how a woman’s husband lost thousands of pounds to a scam falsely linked to him. Speaking on ITV’s This Morning, Gill Casey explained how her late husband Tim had seen a clip that appeared to feature Mr Lewis, giving the impression it had been broadcast on the programme. The advert promoted cryptocurrency investments and led Tim to call a London number, which began a process of manipulation and “brainwashing”.
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Ms Casey revealed that the scammer would phone her husband up to three times a week, often for hours at a time. Over time, Tim invested around £90,000, believing he could withdraw it later. However, when he tried to do so, the fraudsters demanded a £30,000 “tax bill”, which he borrowed money to pay. They later insisted on additional commission payments. Realising the truth, Ms Casey told her husband the money was lost, leaving him devastated and robbed of his confidence.
She explained the toll the scam had taken, saying it had stripped him of his dignity and self-esteem. Tim, who was in his early eighties, became quieter and withdrawn following the ordeal. Around 18 months later he was diagnosed with cancer and, as doctors warned, lived only another four months. Ms Casey described the entire experience as profoundly damaging, not only financially but emotionally.
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Mr Lewis warned viewers that he never endorses investment schemes, cryptocurrency trading, or money-making adverts online, stressing that such promotions are the work of criminals. He highlighted how scammers lure victims in with small initial investments, before persuading them to deposit more money. Calling the use of his image and even deepfake videos “absolutely disgraceful”, the MoneySavingExpert.com founder urged people to remember: “If it seems too good to be true, do not do it.”
