Miriam Margolyes released an urgent statement after friends made her aware of fake Facebook profiles using her likeness. The iconic Harry Potter star was the victim of several fraudsters using her name on Facebook in order to gain favour with followers, friends as well as charitable causes.
One of the fake accounts reportedly tried to extort money from a charity that she supports by messaging the organisation by pretending to be her. The accounts have been reported to Meta but actions have not yet been taken as Miriam doesn’t pay to have her actual account verified on the Mark Zuckerberg-owned site.
In a statement, Miriam, 83, called the situation “nothing other than billionaires profiting from rogue fraudsters roaming free on social media platforms”.
She is also calling on Meta’s management to support creatives and Facebook users by banning the fraudulent accounts as well as they’re IP addresses after they’ve been reported without having to pay the site more money.
Miriam said: “It has, over the past weeks, been brought to my attention by my close chums that there is a fake profile of me on Facebook with over 35,000 followers, as well as a number of Facebook groups purporting to be, and indeed about, me.
“Concerningly, this fake account has been messaging known friends and contacts of mine, including charitable causes I support. The fraudsters behind the account have been attempting to extort money from my friends and causes. I find this absolutely outrageous.
“What’s more, is that it seems the only way Meta – the owners of Facebook – will take any action is if I pay £9.99 per month to have my profile verified.
“This, to me, is also egregious. This payment is simply a way for billionaires to benefit from fraudsters taking advantage of the reputation of actors, musicians, and creatives. This must be addressed as a matter of urgency.”
She continued: “I am well aware that I am not the sole victim of these deep fake accounts, which exist solely for the purpose of extorting money and reputation. This happens day in and day out to people in all walks of life, but the impact is felt particularly hard by people in our business.
“I am lucky I am in a position to use my voice for many who have fallen victim to these dangerous fraudsters. I am calling on Meta to support my fellow actors, musicians, creatives, as well as the wider Facebook community, by removing and banning these accounts as soon as they are reported, without having to pay additional funds.
“Being an artist can be hard enough, without having deep fake accounts to contend with.”
The Mirror have reached out to Meta for comment.
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