Fake approvals from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are used on social media to promote Bitcoin-related investment programs.
Photographs and fake interviews with Prince Harry and Meghan and other celebrities are used to attract investors.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) says growing concerns about fraudulent advertising are growing.
The number of consumers reporting potential scams to strikers has increased by more than 400% in five years.
By 2021, there have been more than 34,000 reports from consumers suspected of potential investment fraud, the FCA said. In 2016, it was 8,000.
“People should be careful when they see investment ads as profitable, even if they seem to be approved by celebrities,” said a spokesman for the financial services agency.
Conversations established with Prince Harry and Meghan have been used in the past in investment claims – and there seems to be new attempts to use their names in online articles that promise quick, shared social media.
“People earn millions at home through the latest advice from Harry and Meghan,” said one of the latest fake articles, in a story that has also been used with media logos, including the BBC, Daily Mail, Sun, Forbes, Good Morning Britain. and Guardian.
Another headline read: “Harry and Meghan shocked everyone in the studio by revealing how they made another £ 128,000 a month.”
The literature falsely claims that in TV interviews the couple supported Bitcoin-related investment and crypto-currency trading programs.
“I let the software work and my profits accumulated like cakes,” one so-called investor was quoted as saying.
“It sounds strange to have quick money in this fast and hard.”
Says one: “My ex-girlfriend dumped me because I was so poor.
“Now I am a millionaire and I have a much better girlfriend.” Online articles contain false allegations of support from other wealthy people, including Bill Gates, Sir Richard Branson and Mark Zuckerberg.
Investment articles, identified by the FCA, appear to be linked to the Eastern European website.
The website has been contacted but has not responded – and an internet link is now entering the Royal Family’s regular feature.
Representatives of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were notified.
The FCA wants consumers to be more aware of the threat of scams and to check whether the company is regulated in the UK and the financial services register.
“If not, you are less likely to have protection if things go awry,” an FCA spokesman said.
Action Fraud, a national reporting center for cybercrime and cybercrime, claims that fraudsters use social media to target younger age groups.
This could include “false evidence” and photographs of celebrities “to help investment appear legitimate”, he said.
In the financial year between April 2020 and March 2021, there were 500 investment scams gained through celebrity compliments, with losses in excess of £ 10m, according to Action Fraud.
Citizens Policy Director Matthew Upton said “these results could be really bad”.
“These programs are becoming more complex and can leave people feeling very vulnerable and alone – until they can’t even tell their family and friends what happened,” he added.