Lewis Hamilton SCAMMER tricks F1 fan on social media

Lewis Hamilton looks glum as a background of banknotes surrounds him — Photo: © IMAGO

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Hamilton SCAMMER pulls trick on F1 fan

This was a lucky escape for the F1 fan

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Friday 9 February 2024 19:12 Updated: 19:51

A lady from Sao Paulo almost became the victim of a Formula 1-based scam, after contacting an Instagram account claiming to be Lewis Hamilton.

According to Metropoles, the account - which only had 1400 followers as opposed to Hamilton's 36 million - sent Valdemira Aparecida messages asking for money, even using AI to impersonate Hamilton's voice into a voice note, after Aparecida had first reached out to who she thought was the seven-time world champion.

The owner of the fake profile had also created an agency, supposedly based in Rio de Janeiro, where she could buy a 'fan card' for $1,500, which sparked alarm bells for the lady.

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She then decided to call her local newspaper (Metropoles) and it was confirmed that the account had indeed used AI and was not the real Hamilton.

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Hamilton has recently secured his own mega-money deal to join Ferrari from the start of 2025, making his apparent need for $1500 even more unrealistic.

While the seven-time champion still harbours hopes of winning his eighth drivers' title with Mercedes, he will be given at least two more years with Ferrari following the end of the upcoming season to try and cement his legacy.

The 39-year-old will follow in the footsteps of the only other seven-time champion in the sport, Michael Schumacher, in attempting to claim victory for the most successful team on the F1 grid after a barren period for the Maranello-based outfit.

Thankfully, the lady was not duped into parting with any money, thanks to the swift intervention from Metropoles.

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