Emmerdale star Lisa Riley has spoken out against the alarming rise of online scams using
her image without permission, calling the situation “devastating.” The beloved actor, known for her role as Mandy Dingle on the ITV soap, is one of many celebrities whose photos have been misused to promote fraudulent products — in her case, fake slimming aids. Riley
recently appeared on ITV Tonight’s special episode Celebrity Scams: Are You At Risk?, where she shared her personal experience and urged the public to stay vigilant.
During the program, Riley showcased a particularly shocking example of a fake ad featuring her picture, falsely claiming that people could lose 15kg in just three weeks by using the advertised slimming pills. She expressed her distress over how widespread these scams have become, stating, “The amount of people that have bought slimming aids with my face linked to it is off the scale.”
The actor discussed the issue with her fellow Emmerdale co-star, Daniel Brocklebank, shedding light on how the scammers operate. Riley explained that these fraudulent ads are designed to look as though she endorses the product, manipulating fans into believing they can achieve dramatic weight loss results. She emphasized that she has never used or promoted any kind of slimming pill, saying, “Everybody fully believes that they are going to lose weight, but they are not. It’s just about money because there is no such slimming pill at all. And I certainly didn’t take any form of slimming pill.”
Riley went on to describe the sneaky tactics scammers use to lure people in. One method involves hijacking conversations on social media posts. She explained, “I might have put a link to a current storyline we have got in the show, and then you will see, like the fifteenth comment below, a male will start talking under a fake account. He’ll reply to that person’s comment on the storyline, saying things like ‘You are beautiful, you are gorgeous,’ and then I’ll just watch it unfold.”
She expressed the heartbreak of witnessing vulnerable people being targeted, explaining that she often feels the need to step in and warn fans. “I’ll have to go, ‘That’s not real. He’s not real. He’s buttering you up to get your credit card details.’ It’s happening more and more, and you can see they are absolutely hunting online vulnerable women,” Riley said, highlighting the emotional manipulation these scammers rely on to gain victims’ trust.
The issue struck a chord with viewers, many of whom took to social media to express their frustration and support. The conversation exploded across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. One viewer praised the show for addressing the growing problem, writing, “Good they are covering this. It’s getting a joke — every day someone gets scammed.”
Another commented, “Such an important issue to bring to people’s attention,” while others shared their personal experiences with similar scams. One person wrote, “I keep getting fake requests from celebrities on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.” Another fan emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, “This is very important as people need to know about millions of scammers everywhere!!”
The rise in scams falsely claiming celebrity endorsements has become a serious concern, especially as more people turn to social media for entertainment, connection, and advice. The emotional and financial toll these scams take on victims — many of whom are vulnerable individuals simply looking for hope or inspiration — cannot be ignored.
Lisa Riley’s willingness to speak up has shed light on a pressing issue that affects countless people. By sharing her own experience and calling out the scammers, she’s helping to empower fans to recognize fake ads and avoid falling for these harmful tricks. The conversation sparked by the show continues to grow, with more people recognizing the importance of staying cautious online and protecting their personal information.
The hope is that, with more awareness and voices like Riley’s leading the charge, fewer people will be deceived — and scammers will find it harder to exploit innocent victims.
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