Something very shocking is happening on Facebook right now. Scammers are using the face of a beloved South African celebrity to trick people into losing their hard earned money. And the star himself had to come forward and warn everyone about it. This is a story every South African needs to read today.
Katlego Maboe, one of the most trusted and well known faces on South African television, has spoken out after discovering that criminals were using a fake video of him to promote a fake investment scheme. The video was not real. It was made using artificial intelligence, a technology that can copy someone’s face and voice so well that it looks completely real.
The fake video showed what appeared to be Katlego telling people that he invested just R1,000 and made R55,000 on the very first day. The video then claimed he turned that into R300,000 within just four days. That sounds like a dream come true. But it was all a lie.
The video was being shown as a sponsored advert on Facebook. That means the scammers actually paid money to make sure as many people as possible could see it. In the clip, a woman named Nomvula Mbatha was introduced as his old friend who runs this so called investment opportunity. None of it was true.
Katlego quickly took to Facebook to set the record straight. He told the public clearly that the video was fake and that he had nothing to do with any investment scheme. His words were strong and clear. He said he would never ask anyone for money or personal information. He also said he would never promote any financial scheme through random online videos.
He gave the public a very important piece of advice. He said if something seems off, it probably is. Those are words worth remembering.
His friend and fellow influencer Kelly KiKx also saw the video and immediately warned her own followers. She told them not to fall for it and urged everyone to report the account straight away.
What makes this so dangerous is how real the fake video looks. Modern technology can copy a person’s face, their voice, and even the way they move and smile. This makes it very hard for ordinary people to tell the difference between what is real and what is fake.
Sadly, Katlego is not the only celebrity this has happened to. Stars like Connie Ferguson, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, and Leanne Manas have all had their faces used in similar scams. Some victims reportedly lost their entire life savings after believing these videos were genuine.
The most important thing to remember is this. No real investment will ever promise you R300,000 in four days. That is not how money works. If a video online is promising huge returns very quickly, it is a scam. Full stop.
Here is what you should do if you see something like this. Do not click on any links. Do not share your banking details or personal information. Report the video on whatever platform you see it. And share the warning with your family and friends so they are also safe.
Katlego Maboe did a brave and kind thing by speaking out fast. He did not have to do it. But he cares about the people who support him. His quick action may have saved many South Africans from losing their money to these heartless criminals.
Stay alert. Stay safe. And always remember that in today’s world, seeing is no longer believing.
