Scammers don’t overdo it: they offer to invest by distributing an old “interview” with a famous artist

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On Thursday night, Facebook made an intriguing appearance record: “The scandal that shook the world: the accusations against Marijon Mikutavičius were confirmed!” The secret of the popular singer is finally revealed!”

Added below supposedly on the portal lrt.lt a screenshot of a published essay. It shows a collage – an image of M. Mikutavičius allegedly being led away in handcuffs is superimposed on a photograph of police cars lined up on the street.

“The tragic end of M. Mikutavičius! This morning’s news shocked everyone!” reads the caption.

However, even a not very careful analysis of this record makes you question it – hints of deception are hidden in every detail.

In the quoted text, M. Mikutavičius is called a “popular singer”, so it can be assumed that it was written in Lithuanian by an artificial intelligence or a person who used a translation program.

Police cars lined the street in the warm weather, evident by the officers standing nearby in short-sleeved T-shirts and the trees covered in leaves.

Of course, if you don’t have footage from the scene, you can use an archive photo. However, M. Mikutavičius was allegedly detained – also with short sleeves, so the shot should be old, if such a situation really existed.

Although the photo shows only the shoulders of the officers “leading” him in beige uniform shirts, it is clear that the photo was not taken in Lithuania – the police uniforms of our country are dark.

The entry in Lithuanian was published by 2.8 thousand people. following Mike Hall. facebook on the pagewhich can be accessed by clicking on the last name at the top, indicates that he is a politician. But both the posts on the page and on the Internet information is found shows that the man is more related to sports.

Michael James Hall is an American trained journalist delivered as a sports presenter, 2007 started working in sports delivered “Big Ten Network” (M.Hall also shared his page link).

Neither from the Facebook page nor from this information is it clear why an American should be interested in the affairs of M. Mikutavičius or the scandals taking place in Lithuania. It’s a shame that nothing like that is published on his page. The last post is here appeared 2017 m. spalio 5 d.

It does not lead to a known portal

It should be understood from the screenshot that the text about M. Mikutavičius appeared lrt.ltbut visible above the header delfi.lt address.

Clicking on the photo opens a page that looks similar to this portal (although the address is just a jumble of letters). January 9 the author of the published essay – allegedly his journalist.

Here the title of the text is different – “Lituvos bankas filed a lawsuit due to the words spoken by M. Mikutavičius on the air.” People have already started making money.”

The following is published “the same deleted interview with M. Mikutavičius, which all banks are afraid of”, given to the well-known journalist, host of shows and events Živilė Kropaitei-Basiule.

The performer “told” her about the BTC +2 Alrex investment platform. Available online find informationthat she possibly is deceptive. This is followed by the description of “news editor Ben Griliauskas” (although Google information about such a journalist can’t find) week’s investment experience.

Finally, it is explained how to start investing, that “the balance can be replenished only during a conversation with a platform employee”.

A bold warning to use only “official link to the platform”) and to hurry, because the free account registration is valid for a short time (after that, the date is delayed accordingly every day, somehow recording the previous day, for example, on Sunday, the deadline was January 11).

For some reason, a phrase in Spanish got mixed up in the Lithuanian explanations, the text contains errors in proofreading, language and style.

Below are some comments from people who have successfully invested and are happy with their earnings.

The police did not get help

This is a classic example of this type of fraud. Using famous people is a popular tactic for scammers to attract the attention of the underprivileged and create the impression that a reliable product is being offered.

Also read: Debunk.org: Fraudsters look for beneficiaries using the names and faces of famous people

Disinformation Analysis Center Debunk.org the investigation showed that their names and faces are being used for large-scale fraud. This is done not only by using their photos, but also by distorting the real or creating fictional stories of supposed financial success.

Internet fraudsters in Lithuania create copies of major news portals or their fake accounts on the social network Facebook and invite them to invest in fraudulent investment platforms.

Scandalous, criminal events, famous faces – journalists, politicians, athletes, opinion makers, etc. are used to attract attention.

Representatives of the Bank of Lithuania and the police have explainedhow to check out unheard of get-rich-quick platforms and protect your money from scammers.

The same “scandalous” news about the “tragic end” was spread last fall and march and even earlier. After appearing on the Internet for photos with handcuffs, M. Mikutavičius not only warned fans not to believe in the lures of quick earnings, but also turned to the police.

Also read: M. Mikutavičius warns not to fall for the scammers

Also read: M. Mikutavičius turned to the police: “This is a lie and you need to fight against it”

There was little benefit from this – the investigation was not started. “My statement was rejected as having no factual reason,” he told the portal at the time 15min explained the artist whose image for a similar scam exhausted more than once.

Also read: The fraudsters do not leave M. Mikutavičius alone, but there will be no police investigation

Rebuttal and journalist

An interesting detail: when you scroll down the page with the alleged interview with M. Mikutavičius on the computer screen and place the cursor on it, a phrase that was distributed last year when advertising the investment platform appears, but another one with the whole another story – about a teenager who disappeared and was later found dead.

The headline of this text announced that the gruesome truth was revealed during a thorough investigation – new circumstances and reasons for the boy’s death, and the arrest of a suspect who may have embezzled his property.

It was a lie – M. Mikutavičius told the portal 15min denied giving such an interview.

Also read: Don’t be fooled: they don’t want you to pay attention to the story about the missing Mykolas, but money

The artist, back in the late 2020s, when similar falsehoods were being circulated, his followers on Facebook warned is in no way related to similar “promotions”: “Encouraged by more serious friends, I want to dissuade everyone from doing nonsense and warn once again that no one should fall for online scammers and petty scoundrels.

Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, I’m clearly too stupid for any profitable monetary transactions, so ignore any picture of me alone in a bucket of euros.

Even if I ever get lucky enough to invest somewhere, I’ll be there telling you how I did it. Be careful.”

By the way, Ž. Kropaitė-Basiulė, who allegedly interviewed M. Mikutavičius, last summer announcedto have a similar interview with him has not done.

15min verdict: lie. Posts on Facebook and articles about M. Mikutavičius’ alleged investment are false. The pages on which they are published are fictitious and specifically look like well-known websites in order to create an impression of credibility. This is not the first time that a fabricated interview with an artist has been used to attract attention and to extort money from gullible residents.

The publication was prepared in 15 minutes in partnership with Metait aims to stop the spread of misleading news on the social network. More about the program and its rules – here.